Shkodran Mustafi has been named in WhoScored’s Premier League Team of 2020 following his comeback in the latter half of the season, and Arsenal fans may now be forced to eat their words.
The German defender had completely fallen out of favour under Unai Emery this season, having not made a single appearance in the Premier League until he was sacked in November.
The former Valencia man had also become somewhat of a scapegoat among Arsenal fans, with many routinely slamming him after every appearance for the club.
However, having played the full duration in five of the club’s last six Premier League games, going unbeaten during that time, the 27-year old appears to have turned his fortunes around at the Emirates.
Arsenal have some difficult decisions to make in regards to their centre-back options, and Mustafi’s upturn in form may have given Mikel Arteta another headache to contend with.
Currently, Arsenal possess Mustafi, Sokratis, David Luiz, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers as centre-back options, while William Saliba is set to join the group in the summer, and loan defender Pablo Mari could also be signed on a permanent basis.
Sokratis has already teased a possible exit, however with Arsenal linked with the likes of Chris Smalling, Dayot Upamecano and Issa Diop, it seems as though the club have their hearts set on signing yet another centre-back.
Should they press ahead with that aim, they may have far too many players in that position, and while Mustafi might have been the easy option to sell earlier in the season, he has now caused a headache for Arteta.
The World Cup winner has proven that he has the capacity to improve and to settle into Arteta’s immediate plans, and if he does remain at the club beyond the end of the summer transfer window, many Arsenal fans may have to eat their words.
