3 – Goal Getter
In two seasons with Valencia, Mustafi has bagged himself six goals and whilst that might not sound a lot it could be the difference between first and second.
Whilst he may not be the BFG, Mustafi has something that Mertesacker doesn’t and that’s a calmness in front of goal when it counts, and that could be vital.
With Mesut Ozil taking the set pieces it’ll give us a chance to see the two German’s linking up together, and you can almost guarantee him getting on the score sheet this season.
When Arsenal are up for corners, there’s always had to be an insurance that Mertesacker won’t be able to track back in time should a counter attack be launched down the other end.
However, with the young legs on Mustafi we can be a little more optimistic when pushing players up the pitch to attack, and stopping the opposition sooner should they pick the ball up.
Mustafi also gives us the option of playing a high line and catching the forwards offside, something we’ve had to always miss out on when Mertesacker sits on the pitch.
Throwback to Chelsea at home last season and it was the Arsenal vice-captain who made that last-ditch tackle on Diego Costa after trying to catch him offside.
What happened? Red card for Mertesacker and game over with 60 minutes to go…