Arsenal Vs Everton: 5 key players to watch – Top-four race is on

3. Shkodran Mustafi

It is shocking to admit, but you could make a very fair argument that Shkodran Mustafi is now a key player in the Mikel Arteta era.

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The German centre-back is renowned for his error-prone ways. He has made an immeasurable number of boneheaded mistakes and has seemingly never learned to control his decision-making and improve his defensive awareness. But under Arteta, bar one horrible backpass against Chelsea, Mustafi has been near faultless.

His passing has improved no end, taking far fewer touches to control and release the ball, his aggressive, eager nature has been used to the best of its ability, pressing strikers high up the pitch, suffocating the opposition, and his athleticism has been crucial in implementing the advanced defensive line that Arteta demands.

In Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, Everton have two centre-forwards who can and will cause Mustafi serious issues. They are pacy, have terrific timing of movement off the ball, are always a threat when dribbling at defenders, and are capable in the air. Especially on the counter-attack, they will have space to exploit. Mustafi will have to be at his best, which he has been in recent weeks.