Arsenal fans and several other pundits might be lost for words after Shkodran Mustafi’s latest achievement.
The German centre-back who has been ridiculed for so long, has made it into WhoScored’s Premier League team of 2020.
Now, whether they did it to raise controversy or after noticing Mustafi’s steep rise in form, is uncertain at this point. Fans were already taken aback by just how good the German has become under Mikel Arteta, starting five of the club’s last six Premier League games.
After his mistake in the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, that gave Chelsea the opening goal, Mustafi has been nearly perfect in his duties. He was a standout performer during the 2-1 defeat against Olympiakos, that eventually ended Arsenal’s Europa League hopes of the season.
The Greek side attacked Arsenal through setpieces and Mustafi knocked out headers like a ping-pong bat all game long. It was only after an injury that forced him out of the pitch that the visitors pulled away with a winning goal. His injury absence also allowed Pablo Mari a consecutive run of two games but fans are alraedy questioning whether the former Valencia man should be kept on for longer.
Mustafi has been disastrous on many occasions for the Gunners but this renewed run of form and confidence has made him a completely different player. All of his best talents – ball distribution, heading ability, aggressively attacking the ball – has come to light. It is surprising how he has turned it around after being making it into the top 10 worst Arsenal signings of all time.
Fans are being made to eat their words but secretly, they are happy to be proven wrong. One can just hope that this is a turning point and not just a short phase.
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