Alan Shearer believes the absence of Shkodran Mustafi played a part in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Everton last night at Goodison Park.
The Gunners succumbed to their first defeat since the opening day of the Premier League season, with Ashley Williams heading in a late winner for the Toffees.
Arsenal were without summer signing Mustafi after suffering a hamstring injury last week against Stoke City and according to Shearer, says the German’s absence in the side was obvious to see.
He tweeted:
‘Great result for Everton who deserved it.
‘Arsenal were poor tonight and looked vulnerable at the back without Mustafi.’
Mustafi is set to miss the remaining 2016 fixtures, but did Arsenal really miss the German centre-back last night?
Mustafi has settled in well since his summer arrival from Valencia and has quickly become a key member of the side. Perhaps with him in the starting line-up last night Arsenal could have held on for a draw and not conceded the late winner, but I think this is a bit harsh on his replacement Gabriel, who did well alongside Laurent Koscielny.
The reason why we lost to Everton was not because of our defensive display, but more because the players in the final third didn’t do enough overall.
Mustafi is obviously missed, but I wouldn’t say his absence led to our downfall.
