Would Mustafi suit Arsenal?

Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi, according to Sky Germany, but would he be the defender the Gunners need?

Wenger admitted last week that he needed to sign another centre-back, despite bringing in Rob Holding from Bolton, due to a long-term injury to Per Mertersacker.

No bids are thought so far to have been lodged but though Mustafi has a release clause of £42.1m Sky Germany understands that Arsenal may be able to sign the German for £25.3m plus a further £8.4m in add-ons.

So how would the Germany international fit in at the Emirates Stadium? We take a look…

Profile

Name: Shkodran Mustafi

Age: 24

Position: Defender

Nationality: German

Caps: 12

Do they need him?

With Mertesacker set to miss five months of the season after picking up a knee injury in Arsenal’s first pre-season friendly at Lens, Wenger is on the hunt for a central defender with experience.

Even before the Mertesacker news, many Arsenal fans were crying out for a new partner for Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the Gunners’ defence. 

Since joining the club from Villareal in January 2015, Gabriel has failed to force his way past Mertesacker in the pecking order and Calum Chambers is still seen as a work in progress. Holding has joined this summer but again, he will be seen as one for the future.

Wenger, who was thwarted in his bid to lure Jamie Vardy to north London, is still looking for another attacking option but with Mertesacker out until Christmas and Koscielny’s pre-season preparation limited following Euro 2016, there’s a pressing problem in the Gunners’ backline.

Reading the game

Mustafi signed a five-year deal with Valencia in the summer of 2014 and has made more than 60 appearances for the club over two …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com