Mustafi booed on US tour by Arsenal fans who want calamity defender sold despite Koscielny going on strike
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SHKODRAN MUSTAFI was booed by Arsenal fans... during a pre-season friendly.
The error-prone centre-back, 27, came off the bench in the 3-0 victory over Colorado Rapids, the Gunners' first match on their US tour.
He was not pushed hard as he took the captain's armband - and comically put it on upside down - in Denver as goals from Bukayo Saka, James Olayinka and Gabriel Martinelli secured the win.
But many Arsenal fans clearly want to see the back of the German World Cup winner, who arrived for £35million in 2016.
On Twitter, though, fans were split with many backing the boo-boys while others believe while he is still a Gunner, Mustafi must be supported.
User @aka_wills said: "Boo Mustafi. Everyday. If it forces him out - great."
And while others couldn't help but laugh at the German for his armband error, fan account @OzilThings did not hold back.
He said: "So glad Mustafi got booed. Literally cost us UCL last season and never seems to be serious when playing for the club.
"Hope this is a wake up call for him because he’s been abysmal other than the first couple months since joining."
But @TikaTakaConnor hit back: "I hear Mustafi was booed by his own fans last night. It doesn’t matter if he’s bad or not because he plays for Arsenal and we don’t do that to our own players. Stay classy."
Another user, @henrywright, added: "Mustafi will definitely be needed next season considering the budget we have to bring in new players and the attitude of some players."
Meanwhile, @RE_54CL said: "Arsenal Fans booing Mustafi need to get a grip. Our club chose to sign him and give him the contract they did.
"The guy has his flaws but there is no indication he has been anything but a pro. How do you think booing impacts his confidence?"
And @SBeurling wrote: "Wait.. Fans booed Mustafi?? I know he isn't good enough but ffs it's the first pre season game and we might be stuck with him because of the koscielny situation.. We're setting him up for mistakes and bad confidence!"
While he has forged a reputation as a calamity defender for his numerous mistakes over recent seasons, at least he made the trip to America.
That is more than can be said for captain Laurent Koscielny, who is trying to force through an exit from the club and refused three times to join his team-mates on tour.
And with plenty never wanting to see Mustafi or Koscielny wear a Gunners shirt again plus Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos all set to miss the start of the season through injury, it is leaving Unai Emery desperate to bring in more defenders before the transfer window closes on August 8.
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They are still haggling over terms for a £25m deal for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney while Spurs are trying to hijack Arsenal’s £25m bid for Saint-Etienne youngster William Saliba.
Emery admitted: “The club is working for new signings and we are speaking every day with the club and with Edu about that. We have very good young players but we need someone to help us.
“But I prefer to work with patience and calm to take the best decisions. If for this season we need to wait for some more time, I prefer to do that.”