Arsenal: Cultured Shkodran Mustafi The Perfectly Versatile Fit
Shkodran Mustafi has experience of a variety of styles, a variety of systems under a variety of coaches. Such cultured development and versatility makes him the perfect fit.
As the dust settles from a turbulent summer transfer window, the most exciting addition that Arsenal made is most likely centre-half Shkodran Mustafi. While he is not flashy, big name attacker that often hogs the headlines, he is the absolute perfect fit for a squad that is devoid of talent, depth and experience at centre-back.
Mustafi brings all these vital attributes that the team is lacking in based upon a varied and intriguing career up to this point. There are few 24-year-olds who have played in such a variety of systems, clubs and countries, and in a recent interview with Sky Sports, Mustafi was confident that he could perform well purely because of his extensive experience:
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“I’ve tried really to take some of the style of the different countries,” he says. “Right now I’d say that I’m quite an aggressive player. I go into everything, that’s what I learnt in England. But on the other side, I’m quite tactical. I try to read the game, like you do in Italy. With the ball, I try to play out and enjoy having the ball, not just giving it away as soon as you get it.”
These truly are fascinating quotes. Mustafi grew up in the Everton system, and David Moyes, the then manager of the Merseyside club, was high on the ability of the German. The issue was game time, and consequently, Mustafi left for Italian club Sampdoria where he enjoyed two productive seasons, including spending time in a back three system that enlightened him to the tactics and nuances of the game.
In 2014, Mustafi was a surprise call-up for the German World Cup winning squad and subsequently transferred to Valencia where his development reached an impressive climate. Last season, in particular, Mustafi proved his quality, ranking in the top 10 for clearances, interceptions and blocked shots in La Liga
He is an outstanding player with experience and understanding that few other at his young age can match. Arsenal have signed a truly fantastic defender, and while £35 million may seem like a steep price, it is a fee that is worth stumping up the money for nonetheless.
It has been an unorthodox journey to the top for Shkodran Mustafi, but now he’s there, every part of that journey is a massive contribution in his development and ability. Arsenal should be glad for Mustafi’s cultured experienced. It has given him an understanding and reading of the game that makes him the perfect fit.
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