Arsene Wenger has been left with a defensive crisis already this season, with Arsenal set to starting the campaign with up to three centre-backs unavailable for selection. Per Mertesacker and Gabriel are sidelined with knee and ankle injuries respectively, while Laurent Koscielny reported back late for pre-season training after being allowed an extended rest following his exploits with France at Euro 2016. There was already an underlying feeling that Wenger had to strengthen at the back, both in terms of quantity and quality, but although promising defender Rob Holding has arrived from Bolton, Arsenal find themselves short of experience at the back. Holding partnered Calum Chambers in the clubs’ opening Premier League defeat to Liverpool last Sunday and are expected to do so for perhaps a few more if Wenger decides not to rush Koscielny back into first-team action. But with Coral backing Arsenal in the latest Premier League odds as one of the teams who should challenge for the title, prior to Gabriel’s untimely injury, news of an impending deal to bring a top defender to the Emirates Stadium is most welcome.
Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi appears to be on the verge of becoming a Gunner, with the 24-year-old German international agreeing personal terms with Arsenal ahead of a big-money move. The transfer fee has yet to be agreed between the two clubs, but bringing in a player who stood out for Germany during their Euro 2016 campaign which ended at the semi-final stage against France, would represent excellent business. Mustafi is a strong, commanding defender who often applies a no-nonsense approach and is able to stick to the art of defending without over-complicating matters. He previously played for Everton between 2009 and 2012 where he endured three unhappy years, before moving to Sampdoria and then Valencia. Los Che will certainly make a profit on a player who they spent €8 million on back in 2014, but their loss will certainly be Arsenal’s gain if Wenger is able to push a deal over the line. Mustafi is likely to arrive ahead of the team’s trip to face defending Premier League champions Leicester, and as the German has been training with Valencia whilst negotiations have taken place, there is hope that the defender will be fit and available for selection upon his arrival.
Wenger has made no bones about finding the right player to fill Arsenal’s defensive void that not only fits into the team’s style of play, but also has the quality to make the desired impact. His, and the board’s unwillingness to spend the sums of money that other title rivals have been more than happy to spend this summer, may infuriate many fans who believe that Arsenal need to be pro-active in the transfer market and spend whatever it takes, but signing Mustafi would represent excellent business. He would certainly compliment Arsenal’s edge of the seat line-up by bringing strength and stability to the defence, and at the age of 24, he can only get better under the right management and guidance. Mustafi certainly has pace for a centre-back – a rare commodity which will prove invaluable given the level of quality that he could come up against this season. Arriving at a team that Coral believe will challenge for the title on their Premier League odds market will raise a question as to whether Mustafi can handle the weight of expectancy at a club that has not won the league since 2004, but starring for Germany this summer is proof, if needed, that the defender has the mental strength to play a leading role for Arsenal.
Mustafi’s impending arrival not only fills the defensive void that has been left by injuries and absences, but may also ease the pressure on Wenger to make a decision on Mertesacker’s future. The 31-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract, and with seemingly no contract talks on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether the German giant has a future at the Emirates. However, Arsenal were in serious need of defensive reinforcements, irrespective of Mertesacker’s future, and although some will hope that Mustafi is not the only defender to arrive before the transfer window shuts, the Valencia and German star would be an excellent addition.
