In recent weeks (yesterday's performance notwithstanding) we've been horrendous defensively. Absolutely shocking. Our 1990s-2000s back line players must be reeling watch what we've turned into.
However, something I need to highlight is that none of the recent awful performances in the Premier League have featured our most maligned defender - Shkodran Mustafi. For a long time we called for him to be dropped, then when he was, we found out that we could do worse.
I didn't watch the game yesterday so I may be wrong in saying this, but should we give Mustafi another chance? When I have seen him play, he has always had at least one obligatory brain fart per game which usually ends up costing us - which Luiz is exceeding in street shoes at the minute. However, he also runs himself into the ground and does try to put in the effort, which based on recent viewing I can't say of Sokratis. He's also good in the air and a threat at set pieces as a result.
At 27 he's too old to improve significantly, but he's not too old to learn. I believe there is a fundamentally good defender under the errors and would like to see him given another chance, at least for the time being - it's not like things at the back can really get any worse anyway.
Any way back for Mustafi?
posted on 20/9/19
It isn't about personnel, it's Emery's style.
posted on 20/9/19
Every player at the club deserves a shot at game time when fit.
I think Mustafi has been very professional throughout all this. Many players would have gone into a sulk after being literally thrown under the bus , both on and off the pitch, by their own fans and club management.
As a side note , It was nice seeing someone in our defence just boot the ball into the sky when under threat. Every other club has cottoned on to the fact that we can no longer string 3 passes together when under pressure.
posted on 20/9/19
Chambers 2 starts, 2 clean sheets
posted on 20/9/19
Midfield is set up horribly wrong, fixing that should be a priority but Emery seems to have long term problems tactically
posted on 20/9/19
Mustafi > Sokratis
Midfield is a shambles and emery doesn't have a clue how to keep us solid.
The defence is constantly bombarded with attacks because there is no discipline from MF.
Hard to judge our defence under Emery
posted on 20/9/19
Have you all forgot Mustafi’s performance against Palace last season which cost us Top 4 and started off this disgusting run off performances that we are still stuck in. The guy is a scuuumbag bottler stealing a living and a half decent performance against pub opposition in a pub tournament doesn’t change that. Just because Sokratis and Luiz are awful doesn’t make Mustafi any better.
posted on 20/9/19
We have 3 poor CB at our club. Sokratis, Luiz and Mustafi. None of them are good enough. Kolasinac is also a very poor defender. The sooner Tierney comes in the better.I would play Chambers and Holding at CB.. The major problem is Emery. Tactically he is not top 4 standard and after 18 months he still can't speak more than pigeon English. Disgraceful. Our MF is like an open door when teams attack us. No cover for the defenders.
posted on 21/9/19
Mustafi in his earlier months in Arsenal was certainly far better than Sokratis. But the guy was abysmal in the run-in of last season and cost us top 4. If he distinguishes himself in training, there is no reason he shouldn't start. But at his age, his propensity for dumb errors will always be part of him.