KEY POINTS

  • Mustafi is reportedly likely to be given a new deal by Arsenal
  • Mustafi is now a key part of the Gunners' defense
  • Mustafi and Xhaka have seen a big turnaround in their career under Arteta

Mikel Arteta is expected to keep several Arsenal FC players after this season, and it appears Shkodran Mustafi may be one of them.

The German football player was originally seen as someone who could be leaving Emirates Stadium this summer, having failed to show his true worth when the Gunners were under Unai Emery. But it appears the tide has turned after Arteta took over.

Under the Spanish coach, Mustafi has experienced a renaissance and is now a key part of Arteta's backline. His contract is due to end next summer, but it appears he has done enough to earn a new deal.

With seven center-backs in the club, some players may have to be dropped. But based on Arteta's latest comments, it appears he intends to keep Mustafi and hand him a new deal soon.

“Musti’s attitude, the way he is training, attention levels, the questions he is asking and how much he wants to help everybody has been really good since I joined,” Arteta said via Arsenal.com.

Mustafi has also lauded Arteta for turning things around. He understands the process and appears ready to be part of it if the Gunners do plan to keep him.

Mustafi is only one of several players who saw a new twist in their football career. Aside from the German defender, another player who was able to turn it around is Granit Xhaka.

Like Mustafi, the Swiss midfielder was able to adjust to the system of Arteta. After he was stripped of the captaincy by Emery, he was another player who seemed set to bolt Arsenal. But his career just took a big turn under the watch of the Spanish coach.

Shkodran Mustafi germany 2016
Arsenal may have to shell out 50 million to Valencia in order to land defender Shkodran Mustafi. Getty Images

“I know his character, he's a great personality as well and he's so focused that he deserves to be helped,” Arteta said about Xhaka.

With a reinvigorated perspective, it appears Arteta has been able to turn a couple of previously branded misfits into assets. Both are playing key roles for Arsenal, although the Gunners still have their work cut out for them this season. They are currently at the seventh spot in the Premier League table, trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by eight points.

It may be an uphill climb but expect Arsenal to make the most out of what is left this season.

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