SM
Friday, April 26
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
FA Cup | Fourth Round
Jan 27, 2020 at 8pm UK
 
AL

1-2

Surridge (94')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Saka (5'), Nketiah (26')

Mikel Arteta confident Shkodran Mustafi can overcome error-prone reputation

:Headline: Mikel Arteta confident Shkodran Mustafi can overcome error-prone reputation: ID:387635: from db_amp
Mikel Arteta was impressed with Shkodran Mustafi's reaction to his mistake at Chelsea.

Mikel Arteta believes he can help Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi improve and cut out his lapses in concentration.

The German's mistake at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday led to team-mate David Luiz receiving his marching orders early on during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

While Mustafi reacted positively, it highlighted why he has been a source of frustration for Arsenal fans who have grown tired of his frequent errors since signing for the club in 2016 for a reported £35million.

Arteta believes Mustafi can eradicate errors from his game (Nigel French/PA)

Under Unai Emery, the former Valencia centre-back was surplus to requirements and made available for transfer but the new Gunners head coach has thrown him a lifeline and injuries and suspension mean he will start in the FA Cup at Bournemouth on Monday.

"I don't believe that at 27 you cannot improve certain aspects of the game, I really believe you can," Arteta said.

"I work with players like this and I have team-mates like this and there is always a moment where there is a click. I can accept a mistake, no problem.

"What I'm not going to accept is somebody makes a mistake and after he stops playing, and he doesn't want the ball and doesn't want to make decisions. That player is not acceptable for our team.

"But Musti after that (mistake), he tried to play every single time, he went for every single challenge and put his body on the line. He was down afterwards but he reacted and if he does that, he will overcome the situation.

"I ask him to play the way we want to play. He makes mistake, another day it will be someone else. Obviously we want to minimise that as quick as possible and find the reason why that happens, but I like his reaction after that."

Former Manchester City assistant Arteta suggested there are certain patterns which lead to the scenario where a player like Mustafi makes a mistake.

He wants to try and take that away and hinted the one-time Everton defender could remain at the club for many years if he can cut out the errors.

"When he is my player and when he is training with me the way he does every day, of course," Arteta responded when asked if Mustafi has a long-term future at Arsenal.

"The plans maybe in the summer were different with him. I came here, he is here and his attitude is always right and he wants to help.

"Yes he made a mistake, but it's OK. I like more the reaction and I look more at the reaction."

Sokratis Papastathopoulos could return to the Arsenal defence on Monday evening (Bradley Collyer/PA

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is set to return for Arsenal at Bournemouth after a bout of illness and partner Mustafi at the heart of defence.

If the Greek international is not fit enough to start, it would open the door for Rob Holding to play at centre-back.

He suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in December 2018 and has failed to get back to the type of form he displayed before his injury.

But Arteta insisted: "He is a very interesting player, very focused, very determined and willing to learn.

Holding, left, has made just eight appearances since recovering from a serious knee injury (Bradley Collyer/PA)

"Obviously the fact he was out for such a long time, he is lacking competition and lacking that rhythm that we need to try and give him as much as possible to help him.

"I agree there were some moments after that where he looked really, really good and he is a player that will be very valuable for us."

Arteta conceded due to Arsenal's injuries at the back, with Calum Chambers (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder) out, he cannot allow Holding to depart on loan.

He added: "Sometimes the context is not idea for individual players needs. In this moment obviously we are very short in that position and we can't do that."

amp_article__387635 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-01-26 22:46:48:
html db last update - 2021-03-04 15:53:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Shkodran Mustafi

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .