Emery suggested Mustafi make a change

Unai Emery, head coach of FC Arsenal, has advised central defender Shkodran Mustafi to say goodbye to the Gunners. “I spoke to him at the end of last season, at the beginning of this preparation and now also about two weeks ago. I told him he could leave,” the Spaniard told Arsenal at Newcastle United’s Premier League opening on Sunday.

Since the transfer window in the European leagues is largely open until the end of August, the 27-year-old could still be looking for a new employer.

David Luiz’s move from Chelsea FC to city rivals left Mustafi one place behind in the centre-back rankings. In preparation, he had to line up behind Calum Chambers and Sokratis, who are said to be on the starting line against Newcastle.

In the summer, the gunners were very active on the transfer market. “We have decided to generally broaden our position. It’s to make us more competitive. Of course, some other players will also get less playing time,” Emery continued. With Luiz, Kieran Tierney, Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe he brought in new players for four different positions.

Emery also said Mustafi would be a valuable alternative if the ex-national player were to stay with the Gunners: “Right now he’s our player and if we really need him, he’ll help us. I have faith in him, he’ll do fine.”

In recent weeks and months, the German 2014 World Champion has been associated with AS Monaco and AS Rome. Many mistakes made by Mustafi in the past caused displeasure among the fans of the London City Club. On the USA tour and also in the last test match against Olympique Lyon, the central defender was faced with whistles.

Mustafi moved from FC Valencia to Emirates in 2016. For its part, Arsenal paid 41 million euros for its services.