Former Valencia manager Gary Neville has informed Arsenal boss Unai Emery what he needs to do in order to get the best from Shkodran Mustafi.
The Germany international has struggled to find consistency this season and has cost Arsenal on a number of occasions with individual errors, leading to suggestions that the Gunners will look to offload his services.
However, Emery launched a passionate defence of Mustafi after last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace, where an error from the 27-year-old allowed Wilfried Zaha to score, suggesting he still sees a future for him at the club.
Former Manchester United defender Neville, who worked with the player during his time with Valencia, has suggested that a new signing may be required to partner Mustafi next season.
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“I had Mustafi at Valencia for three or four months. He’s committed, he’s really good in the air, but he needs someone alongside him who can pull him into position and hold him there,” he told Sky Sports.
“He does like to wander into midfield. He does like to make movements, you think about a back four, staying in shape, staying connected, he does like to run into midfield.
“What that then does for his partner and full-backs, they have to adjust their position. It quickens up the attack. You give spaces for attackers to run into. It’s a real problem.
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“I think at the moment he hasn’t got a strong partner beside him. He had [Nicolas] Otamendi at Valencia the year before I got there who did really well with him.
"The year after he went to City obviously. Then he had a different partner. If Arsenal are going to play him you need a strong partner beside him.”
However, former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness warned that he believes it could all be too little too late for the World Cup winner.
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“How old is Mustafi? He’s circa 30, so when you talk about it he’s getting to the age where he’s beyond help,” he said during Sky Sports' coverage of Arsenal's 3-0 defeat at Leicester City today (Sunday).
“It’s alright saying he needs someone with him, but you’d think coming from Germany he’d have discipline, he’d have coaching, if he hasn’t got it now he’ll never get it.”
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