Mikel Arteta says he’s ‘really happy’ with Shkodran Mustafi

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that he is happy with Shkodran Mustafi.

Arteta has added that the 28-year-old central defender is fit to play for Arsenal in their Europa League Group B game against Dundalk at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Thursday evening.

However, the Spaniard is coy on the future of the Germany international, who is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season.

According to Football.London, Mustafi has turned down an offer to extend his current contract at Arsenal and plans to leave the Gunners next summer.

Arteta told Football.London about Mustafi: “Musti’s completely fit to play and obviously the internal contract situations are going to be discussed internally. I’ve been really happy with Musti since I joined and the progress that he’s made, the performances that he’s made.

“It’s true that he has a long term injury and he’s worked really hard to get back in that position where he is today and I just want him to show again the trust that we have in him and get the performances that we got in the past from him as well.

“I think they were a few cases when we joined in that position. What we tried to do was help the players as much as possible, encourage them to ply with confidence, try to give them the right solutions and then it’s up to them to show with their performances where they are.”

Shkodran Mustafi Stats

According to WhoScored, Mustafi has played just once in the Premier League for Arsenal so far this season.

During the 2019-20 campaign, the German centre-back made 13 starts and two substitute appearances in the league for the Gunners, providing one assist in the process, according to WhoScored.

The 28-year-old also scored one goal in seven Europa League matches for the North London outfit last season, according to WhoScored.

Getting back into Arsenal’s starting lineup

As reported by Football.London, Mustafi started 15 of Arsenal’s 17 games under Arteta last season before he suffered a knee injury.

The German defender is now fully fit, but he will have to fight for his place in the starting lineup.

Gabriel joined the Gunners from Lille in the summer transfer window, and the 22-year-old Brazilian is doing well at the moment.

According to WhoScored, the youngster has scored one goal in five Premier League matches, while David Luiz has made four starts and one substitute appearance in the league so far this season.

However, with Arteta telling Football.London that Luiz is out of the Europa League game against Dundalk and doubtful for the Premier League match against Manchester United due to a muscle injury he suffered against Leicester City, it could open the door for Mustafi.