Shkodran Mustafi blew Arsenal fans away with his superb performance against Spurs on Saturday.
Fresh off the back of a groin injury, we weren’t sure whether we would see Mustafi thrown into such an intense Premier League game as the North London derby. However, not only did Arsene Wenger start him, the German was one of the best players on the pitch.
You wouldn’t know that the centre-back had been sidelined for over a month. He looked sharp, fit and full of beans. Or the German equivalent… Bohnen?
Although Mustafi’s passing wasn’t the best, since he completed just 71% of his overall passes, he’s not a midfielder – he only attempted 34!
https://twitter.com/MustafiOfficial/status/931897284723445761
He had one shot, which was the header he scored from a free-kick. The 25-year-old positioned himself perfectly and although he may have been a smidgen offside, he did well to rise above the rest and score. The ball merely had to glance off his head and into the top left corner, out of Hugo Lloris’ reach.
Shkodran Mustafi was outstanding in defence today. pic.twitter.com/l5QQZssPDb
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) November 18, 2017
Mustafi also won three aerial duels, made 14 clearances and two interceptions, including a vital one to deny Harry Kane from going one-on-one with Petr Cech in the 56th minute.
If it hadn’t been for Mustafi, not only would Arsenal maybe not have kicked off the scoring, they definitely wouldn’t have kept a clean sheet.
It was the centre-back’s best performance in red and white and I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Mustafi has been absolutely exceptional. Best I've seen him play for The Arsenal.
— Pablo (@AFCAMDEN) November 18, 2017
Great gesture from Shkodran Mustafi to let Harry Kane out of his pocket so he can be substituted. pic.twitter.com/qH5M4BYcOJ
— bet365 (@bet365) November 18, 2017
"HARRY KANE IS THROUGH…"
Mustafi: pic.twitter.com/iJjdusT5zr— larz (@retiringdeath) November 18, 2017
MUSTAFI BACK WITH A BANG! PERFECT HEADER pic.twitter.com/N01YwrylO5
— Binancial Advisor (@Lumos7) November 18, 2017
Özil, Mustafi & Koscielny all exceptional. Suitable PASHUN for a NLD. Only downside being we didn’t get to see what celebration Mike Dean had choreographed for a Spurs goal today
— Chris Dixon (@chrismd10) November 18, 2017
Mustafi in training tomorrow… #arsenal pic.twitter.com/5OBp38t5kf
— Arush (@arushb) November 18, 2017