Departing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes defender Shkodran Mustafi will have a long and successful career at the club.
The Independent report that Wenger has backed the under-fire centre-back, who moved to the Emirates for a fee of £35m in 2016.
Mustafi has made a number of notable errors this season, including being at fault for Newcastle’s opener in the 2-1 defeat on Tyneside earlier this month.
The Gunners have struggled for form this season, and find themselves sixth, with all-but no chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Their struggles away from home have been well documented, having won just three away fixtures all season and picking up zero points on the road since the turn of the year.
However, Wenger, who last week announced he would be leaving Arsenal after 22 years at the helm, has offered words of encouragement to the German international:
He has played many games and most of the mistakes he made have been post-Europa League games because he was a bit jaded.
On that front that is part of the fatigue factor which would be the explanation why he had some less good games
Mustafi has made 34 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions this season, scoring three times.
With Per Mertsacker retiring this summer and moving in to a role with the academy, Arsenal will be light in the defensive department and could look to recruit in the summer.
When asked if he thinks Mustafi will remain at the club in the long term, Wenger added:
I think so, yes. He wasn’t close (to leaving). He is a young defender who has had ups and downs. I believe overall he has potential. He is one of the guys who is committed and goes for the challenges.
