5 things to know about Arsenal target Shkodran Mustafi

3) His playing style is extremely similar to Koscielny’s

Mustafi is a brilliant reader of the game and is not afraid to launch into tackles

Shkodran Mustafi has an extremely similar playing style to Laurent Koscielny. Relying on pace and positioning, Mustafi is a brilliant reader of the game and should form a perfect partnership with the Frenchman.

Although not the most physical of defenders out there, Mustafi relies on well-timed tackles and interceptions to win the ball back from the opposition. Last season he made a stunning 133 interceptions from 30 games, 6 more than Koscielny.

Like Koscielny, he is also technically adept and can find outlets through perfectly placed long passes. Despite such qualities, Mustafi is not averse to launching into challenges and is a complete all round defender. Highly reliable at the back, Mustafi would provide Arsenal with the backbone hey have lacked ever since the departure of Patrick Vieira.