The German professional footballer, Shkodran Mustafi joined Arsenal FC in 2016 at a fee close to 35m Euros when Arsenal sought for a good defensive minded player. His arrival was welcomed with a lot of jamboree and gladness as the desire to see the defensive problems sorted seemed to have been fulfilled. The German center back did well in the beginning of his Arsenal career even to the extent that his partnership with the Skipper Laurent Koscielny was nicknamed KOSTAFI.
But his bright start seems to be a flash in the pan especially after his first injury (a hamstring injury in December which saw him off for almost 4 EPL games). He was rumored to be on the books to be sold to Inter Milan last summer. The 26 year old center back in all frankness found it difficult to hit the form known of him in almost the whole of last season games. Many have asked for him to be axed if Laurent Koscielny returns but in recently the injury of summer purchase Sokratis Papastathopolous has seen the emergence of Rob Holding.
The English professional center back came to Arsenal from Bolton in 2015. The 23 year old showed good prospects and made a name for himself in a partnership with former skipper Per Mertasacker in the 2016/17 FA cup final against Chelsea. But couldn’t make himself a fan favorite for that role with subsequent matches, but things seem to begin to go in favor of him. Majority of fans are asking that he starts ahead of Mustafi: Who is getting better under Unai but not yet the topnotch player they know him to be. Since Holding’s emergence under Unai, he’s shown zeal, maturity and desire to be in the defensive line up for the Gunners. But should he replace Shkodran Mustafi outright?
Shkodran Mustafi on a good day is one lad you can rely on at the back, agreed that he’s yet to fully get to the potential he was bought known for, replacing him outright with Rob Holding could affect his confidence in a long run. He’s not as bad as he used to be last season, there’s great improvement though not a topnotch yet, it is evident he’s getting better. Scoring headers, making timely interceptions and god clearances. There’s more room for improvement but his passion to succeed is enough to give him more playing time to get to his full potential.
Rob Holding has been described by Tony Adams as the future of Arsenal defense, and it’s conspicuous he’s showing those signs. The 23 year old English defender will strive very well under Unai Emery and his intent will make him a good player in the foreseeable at Arsenal, but I think it’s too early for him to replace Mustafi entirely as the latter is showing glimpses of getting back to his best and the former will have a lot to learn from the experience of the latter and also Laurent not forgetting Sokratis and the coaching staff in charge of defense at the Arsenal Training Center.
Holding is good and a bright prospect, Mustafi is good and he’s shown his abilities and he’s showing signs of been desirous to prove he’s as good as he was bought, on whether Holding should bench Mustafi; I feel it’s too early for that. Holding has much to learn to become an Arsenal great in the near future and must be used sparingly if things continue as such.
