Mikel Arteta hails Shkodran Mustafi for his improvement at Arsenal but admits concern with attack

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted he is ‘very happy’ with Shkodran Mustafi’s performances, days after the defender reportedly rejected the offer of a new deal at the Emirates.

Mustafi missed the start of the season with a knee injury with his only appearance coming as a substitute during the 1-0 defeat by Leicester at the weekend.

The centre back was a regular under Arteta towards the end of last season and the Spaniard is keen to keep him. However, Mustafi looks set to leave when his contract expires next summer.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted he is ‘very happy’ with Shkodran Mustafi’s performances

Mustafi’s contract expires in the summer but he has reportedly rejected the offer of a new deal

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Dundalk, the Gunners’ boss said talks over a new deal will continue to be discussed but praised the defender’s work rate and the improvements he has made to his game.

‘Mustafi is completely fit to play. Obviously the internal contractual situations are going to be discussed.

‘I have been very happy with Mustafi since since I joined, the progress he has made and the performances he has had. 

‘He had a long-term injury, he has worked so hard to get back into the position where he is today and I just want him to show again the trust that we have in him and get the performances that we have in the past from him as well.’ 

The defender has recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of the start of the season

Arteta admitted he is concerned by his side’s lack of goals after the 1-0 defeat by Leicester 

Arteta admitted he is concerned by his side’s lack of goals after being unable to break down or threaten a resolute Leicester side on Sunday.

‘When we play at home and we are unable to score a goal, I am concerned. I am concerned about the second half (against Leicester), we should have done better, we only had the chance from Hector (Bellerin). 

‘They didn’t have to defend anything after 75 minutes. It’s something that we have to improve, we have to attack better, to be more continuous, to be able to sustain more attacks and put the ball in the box more. We’ve been working on that so hopefully we can improve it.’