Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has laughed off the suggestion that he is the ‘second-worst defender in world football’.

The German was selected in a poll by Marca, voted for by over 150,000 people, as the second-worst defensive player of the season, behind Manchester United’s Phil Jones.

While Mustafi admitted his form has suffered in the past year, he stated that the online poll does not bother him.


“But shortly after Christmas 2018 there was a kink. I’ve made a few mistakes and they’ve created a mess that I’ve never experienced before.”

One game in particular where Mustafi endured a torrid night was during a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in December 2018, but the centre-back has revealed he was not fit to play in that encounter and only featured as a favour to manager Unai Emery.

“I had missed three weeks injured and then went into the game without training with the team because the coach needed me,” he said.

“At half-time it was 4-1, I had a few bad moments and injured myself again. Afterwards, I got a lot of negative comments from Arsenal fans on Instagram and Twitter, and articles were written in which I was harshly criticised.

“I’m self-critical enough to realise that I made mistakes,” he added. “I can also deal with tough criticism. But the criticism has become escalated and irrational. I have become a target. At some point, people even blamed me for a defeat I had not played in at all.”

Despite Mustafi’s poor recent showings, the former Valencia man has said he still believes in his own ability.

“There were days when I really doubted something about myself. But at some point I realised that I am mentally strong.

“Something my wife said helped me a lot: ‘If you were really as bad as people are making you out, you would never have been a world champion and Arsenal player, something must have brought you here’. Since then I can handle it better.”

Much of the criticism aimed at the Germany international has come from social media and Mustafi believes many football fans only use the online platforms to poke fun at players.

“Football has become more inhumane,” he said. “Social media has also contributed to this, because anyone can comment, without names. People can unload their frustrations directly on us.

“It is no longer about the sport, but only to discredit someone to get as many likes as possible. I would like to see more restrictions in the future. What’s on the internet will never disappear. And I’m worried that this will eventually affect my children.”


http://samakus.edublogs.org/2019/10/09/arsenals-shkodran-mustafi-voted-second-worst-defender-in-the-world-behind-phil-jones-he-disagrees/

Arsenal has been trying this season though but this Mustafi is worst.
I am a Man Utd fan but going to relegation this season will give me Joy.

Please today is my birthday

show me some love Biko

Please check my signature and put a smile on a brother's face

Mustafi ezigbo onye owo

That's good for them

Who wouldn't? He sounds Nigerian sef

He sucks

ny

true

Funny

How can an European player be the worse defender in the world, when we have players in Nigeria premier league. The just want to get to the guy by all means

This guy isn't good enough to be in a top club like Arsenal. I hope he improves anyways

Back to sender things

He for collect am or wetin!!?

Lols! People wicked

Who wouldn’t reject such ??

as long as phil jones is no 1 there's no problem

lol i remember when Phil Jones used to be a very tough defender

Nah them...
lols why Man u and Arsenal

Do you have a business?
rank it fast on google chat up

Humans are losing their humanity.

I love the wife, you didn't become a world champion and an Arsenal player by being second worst in the world.

Don't think too much of the negative vibes, those who haven't done any meaningful thing in their lives will be the first to tell you how bad you are at yours.
You are just having a dip in form, you'd be back!
Listen to your wife and discard the opinions of the stupid fans

Phil Jones the worst defender ever

Creamz:
This guy isn't good enough to be in a top club like Arsenal. I hope he improves anyways

Is Arsenal a top club?

Chelsea Zuma is worst

True talk, I hope you improve man

wonderful!

Surprised local man exclaimed!

This one go just dey let dem talk to am anyhow now.

Creamz:
This guy isn't good enough to be in a top club like Arsenal. I hope he improves anyways

Which top club??

Abi u no knw wetin top club mean again??

Huncho19:
Who wouldn't? He sounds Nigerian sef

Nothing Nigerian about it

He's Turkish

Sorry bro

He said he made a few mistakes. So hilarious