Arsenal

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi 'learning on the job'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter
Published: 22 February 2018 12:01 PM

Mustafi 'learning on the job' at Arsenal

Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi credits the intensity of the Premier League as a key factor behind the improvement in his defensive game.

Shkodran Mustafi has admitted that he is still getting accustomed to playing in "the most intense league in Europe" and is hoping to continue improving his game at Arsenal.

The 25-year-old has become a regular at the back for the Gunners when fit, starting 17 Premier League games this term and being used four times in other competitions.

With 59 appearances under his belt since arriving from Valencia in 2016, Germany international Mustafi is aiming to cut out individual errors and step up when it matters most.

"The Premier League is the most intense league in Europe. I knew that before but now that I've played a lot of games, it's just something that you feel," he told the club's official website.

"When you play in the Premier League alongside players who have won a lot of trophies or who have played a lot of games, they give you this kind of experience so you make less mistakes, you react differently to different situations.

"I would say that in the last year I've taken a lot of experience for myself. As a defender, it's really difficult to always do your job 100%. As soon as you do something wrong, it gives the other team an opportunity to score a goal, and then obviously it looks not so good.

"I'm working on being there when it really matters - you can lose a tackle or a duel, but to really be there when you have to, to deny the opponents opportunities."

Mustafi, who has also previously spent time with Premier League rivals Everton, is expected to feature in Arsenal's EFL Cup final showdown with Manchester City on Sunday.