It’s time – Arsenal offloading their 28-year-old unreliable star would be the ideal choice

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Sourav Ghosh

Why Arsenal parting ways with Shkodran Mustafi would be the ideal decision

According to Sport 1 (h/t Daily Mail), Arsenal are facing a huge dilemma with Shkodran Mustafi. His father has said that all options are open when it comes to his son’s future since he is likely to become a free agent next season. The player, however, has reiterated his desire to stay at the club and fight for his place.

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The 28-year-old German defender started his youth career at FV Bebra and then moved to SV Rotenburg. In 2006, he joined Hamburger SV’s youth setup. After 3 years, Everton recruited him for their youth team.

He made just a single appearance for the senior team before Sampdoria signed him in 2012. However, it was only from the following season that Mustafi started getting games. He made over 50 appearances for the Italian side before making the move to Valencia.

getafe cf v valencia cf la liga
GETAFE, SPAIN – APRIL 24: Daniel Parejo (L) and Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia applaud fans after drawing 2-2 with Getafe CF during the La Liga match between Getafe CF and Valencia CF at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on April 24, 2016 in Getafe, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

At Valencia, he played 81 games, scoring 6 goals and assisting 3 (source – Transfermarkt). Finally, he made the move to Arsenal in 2016 and since then, it’s been a mixed bag for him. He has made over 146 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 9 goals and assisting 5.

Mustafi was a regular part of Germany’s youth teams but has been restricted to just the 20 appearances for the senior side. He was a part of their FIFA World Cup squad in 2014.

Arsenal would be better off selling Mustafi

Mustafi has had a tough time for Arsenal since joining them. There have been moments of solid defending but largely it has been a case of sub-par showings. He has been too error-prone for a defender of a club of Arsenal’s stature.

arsenal v west ham united premier league
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

With the new arrivals of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, Arsenal have 8 centre-backs on their roster. It is clear that few of them are surplus to requirements and Mustafi is among them. Arteta has been using Gabriel, Luiz and Holding regularly. He has also used Keiran Tierney, Sead Kolasinac and Granit Xhaka in that position.

It was only due to the injuries to Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and David Luiz that Mustafi was reintegrated into the team. While the German has not done much wrong this term, he remains a very unreliable presence at the back.

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A move to Eintracht Frankfurt was reported and Arsenal can allow him to leave. The likes of Pablo Mari and Chambers are fit now and have returned to action. Mustafi is clearly a liability that Arsenal don’t need at all.