KEY POINTS

  • Mustafi lauds Arteta for turning Arsenal around
  • Mustafi credits improvement to Spanish coach
  • Arsenal is looking to improve more by next transfer window

Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal FC is one of the players most had initially felt would be leaving the club after this season. He struggled to adapt to the new coach's system but the 27-year-old football player would eventually get his break. Mustafi is one of the players who needed patience on Arteta and now the German is lauding the 38-year-old coach.

Arteta took over last December from Unai Emery. He has since gotten his share of criticism on the utilization of players. Aside from Mustafi, other unhappy players include Mesut Ozil and Grant Xhaka. Now, the German understands the process and credits Arteta for turning things around and inspiring the club.

"He has brought a very clear identity and a very clear idea of how he wants to play football, but at the same time, he gives you space to make your own decisions because you are on the pitch and you know exactly what the coach wants from you," Mustafi said via the team's official website.

Mustafi is one of the few players who admits that everything is a process. Some may agree and others may not. But for the German, the reason why the Gunners are now performing well is that Arteta's efforts are now paying off. And he admits that he is one of the players who has benefitted immensely from the efforts of the Spanish coach.

As mentioned in a previous post, part of the reason why Mustafi now wants to stay is that he was given a break. Arteta allowed him to show his wares and the German defender did not disappoint. His breakout game happened when Arsenal played and won over Olympiacos during the first leg of the Europa League last 32 tie.

As for Arsenal, the rebuild continues. Arteta is expected to add and offload some players heading into the next transfer window. Just recently, one player that was linked to the Gunners is Alassane Plea. Currently, with Borussia Monchengladbach, the French striker is one of several football players who could make the move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The name of Mustafi has not been mentioned yet among the players who could be leaving. And based on his renewed vigor, it appears he will be staying with Arsenal unless Arteta has other plans in mind.

Shkodran Mustafi germany 2016
Arsenal may have to shell out 50 million to Valencia in order to land defender Shkodran Mustafi. Getty Images