SHKODRAN MUSTAFI has “little hope” of staying at Arsenal after failing to win over fans who blamed him even when he didn’t play.
The German defender, 27, has slipped to the bottom of Unai Emery‘s pecking order and looks certain to leave after a move failed to materialise over the summer.
Mustafi has been limited to just three cup run-outs this season but recently braved turning comments back on on his Instagram after months of abuse – even for matches he hadn’t played in.
Earlier this month, Mustafi revealed his heartbreak at the comments, telling German journalist Jorn Mayn: The criticism has become escalated and irrational.
I have become a target. At one point, people even blamed me for a defeat I had not played [in] at all.
Mustafi went on to tell Der Spiegel criticism from former pros is one of the hardest things to take.
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit famously called the German defender the “king of blunders” after a spate of errors last season.
And Mustafi opened up, saying: You expect those players to be more sensitive and to see what this sharp criticism can do.
In the past, it might have been in the paper for a day and then people would have forgotten.
“Today its on the internet and its going to haunt me for the rest of my career.
Arsenal boss Emery threatened to sell Mustafi, along with Mohamed Elneny, in the summer, saying: I spoke with them a lot of times last year.
“I think it is positive for them to leave and to sign for another team where they can be protagonists, they can be happy and can continue their careers as players.
Ultimately no move materialised for Mustafi, who revealed: There wasnt an option that all sides would have been happy with.
I also knew the next change is extremely important to write a positive chapter in my career again.
“If I move somewhere that doesnt really fit, the situation couldnt improve much, so I stayed.
Mustafi has hardly put a foot wrong this season, but he’s hardly played either – limited to two Europa League games and one Carabao Cup clash – after slipping to the foot of Emery’s central defensive list.
But he has kept clean sheets in every game he’s played this term and even hit out at fans with a sarcastic message saying “sorry” for it.
Recently, Mustafi braved turning comments back on on his Instagram feed after disabling them following months of torrid abuse.
In his final post before doing so, he wrote: “Tough times dont last. Tough people do.
