Shkodran Mustafi opens up over Arsenal transfer

Arsenal’s summer signing has admitted in a recent interview, that a lot of pressure comes with being one of the most expensive centre-backs in the world.

The German international made his £35 million move from Valencia this summer and has quickly become a fan favourite due to his superb performances. Mustafi has been very impressive in tandem with Koscielny and the two are yet to lose a game, however, the 24-year-old stated in an interview with Bild (h/t The Express), that the price tag has pushed him to play at a high level and pay back the large fee.

‘I wanted to go to Arsenal, everything else was negotiated by the clubs. Of course, this [price tag] is an incredible sum. And I know what a burden that can bring. Especially in my second home in Gostivar. But I could not influence that. So I push it far away.’

Laurent Koscielny has long been a stalwart at the back but he has never had a consistent and reliable partner. With Mustafi, however, Arsenal are able to press up high and defend on the front foot as he perfectly demonstrated against Diego Costa.