Santi Cazorla explained recently that having Shkodran Mustafi in the squad has made Arsenal feel far more secure at the back, allowing them to play with more freedom.

Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny have slotted together like two pieces of a puzzle. While Per Mertesacker did sort of fit for a while, we kept having to squeeze his uneven edges together with the much more perfectly formed Frenchman. After a while, his sides became so misshapen that it became apparent that it just wasn’t working.

Enter, Mustafi.

Speaking to IBTimes, Cazorla explained the impact that having a secure defence can have on the entire team.

“Mustafi has brought a lot to the team,” the Spaniard praised.

“Even though he is still very young he already has big experience and has formed a good partnerships with Koscielny. They already understand each other very well. That solidness in defence give the rest of the team an assurance to play with more freedom.”

With all this said, we’re far more perfect.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal (C) reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at Emirates Stadium on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal (C) reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Swansea City at Emirates Stadium on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Silly mistakes led to Swansea’s two goals on Saturday. But we’re getting there and at least we have a firm foundation to build upon now; as much as I love Per, he wasn’t what we needed and although I’d never go as far as saying his knee injury has been a blessing in disguise as it forced Arsene Wenger to dip into the market, I’m very glad we bought Mustafi.