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Arsene Wenger hails Shkodran Mustafi transformation after match-winning north London derby display

Arsene Wenger has hailed Shkodran Mustafi’s transformation after the Arsenal defender made a pivotal contribution to help beat Tottenham in Saturday’s north London derby.

The 25-year-old scored the opening goal in the Gunners’ 2-0 win and produced one of his most impressive all round displays since joining the club for £34million from Valencia in August 2016.

Mustafi was linked with a move away from the club at the end of the summer transfer window with Inter Milan failing in a late swoop but the centre-back was described in glowing terms by Wenger upon his return to action after missing the last eight games with a hamstring injury.

“Yes [his future was uncertain but he was] not close [to leaving],” said Wenger. “I think he’s a winner. You know people, to get into the head of football people, they think just because the contract situation is not always what they hoped, they walk on the football pitch there and they think ‘OK, it doesn’t matter’.

“It’s not like that. When you’re a football player, even if I play four against four out there, you want to win. And you don’t know what your contract is.

“These guys are winners. They want to win the football games. When they lose, they are accused of not wanting it enough. That’s part of the job, but they want to win.

“He’s similar to Per [Mertesacker] on a mental front, but of course he’s 10 years younger, and he’s a leader, he’s a motivator. He has a strong focus, and he’s strong in the challenge.

"I agree with you that he had an outstanding performance. In the air he was good. He started a bit nervy and slowly became stronger and stronger.

“You need that kind of leader because they have a picture of the whole team in front of them. Sometimes one word, ‘go a bit more wide, go a bit more left, drop off’ makes a complete difference.

"Because you have, it’s like a photo of a team, when you play at the back, your keeper and the centre-backs, and they know exactly… they can predict when they will be in trouble.”