Arsenal must be ruthless amid Shkodran Mustafi interest reports

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Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi could be a transfer target for AC Milan after being linked with a move to San Siro in January, according to a report from Italian outlet Calciomercato.

There was a time when the large majority of Gunners fans would have welcomed interest in Mustafi. The German has had a tough time at the Emirates. And he had looked destined to be remembered as a major flop when he did move on.

However, Mikel Arteta’s appointment appears to have been a catalyst for a major turnaround for the centre-back, who cost £35 million back in 2016 (via BBC Sport).

Mustafi has arguably looked better than he ever has in recent months. He appears to have cut out the large majority of mistakes.

And his partnership with David Luiz had been developing at enough of a rate to suggest that they could both remain key parts of Arteta’s plans for some time yet.

So there may now be plenty of Arsenal fans imploring the club to snub any interest that comes in for Mustafi once the window opens.

However, it is because Mustafi has never been better for the club that Arsenal must consider cashing in.

Mustafi has got some way to go before he proves that he has cut almost all of the mistakes out of his game. And some fans will never be convinced that they can fully rely on the 27-year-old.

Arsenal have a lot of depth at centre-back. And Arteta’s ranks will be further bolstered by William Saliba’s arrival this summer.

They can afford to consider offers for some of their players. And as Mustafi’s stock has probably never been so high, letting him go has to be an option.

It may be that Mustafi continues to silence his doubters once the season resumes. And Arsenal may be vindicated if they ignore interest in him this summer.

But with the defender performing at a very good level, perhaps the time has actually never been better to let him go.