Pruning Arsenal Squad Continues, Shkodran Mustafi Released To Schalke 04

Shkodran Mustafi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Arsenal released Shkodran Mustafi to Bundesliga club Schalke 04. The contract for the 2014 World Cup winners will expire in June 2021.

There are no more options for Arsenal other than releasing him in the winter transfer market this time or he will leave on a free transfer.

Coach Mikel Arteta said before the January transfer window starts he wants to let go of some players who are not in his plans.

Mesut Ozil becomes a high profile player who leaves the Emirates Stadium. The former Germany national team midfielder joined Turkish club Fenerbahce. Ozil's departure has lightened the burden on the club in terms of player salaries.

Defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos joined Olympiakos earlier this month after his contract was terminated early. William Saliba, Sead Kolasinac and Matt Smith have been out on loan, while Matt Macey has joined Hibernian on a permanent basis.

Mustafi was recently linked with a transfer to Liverpool before finally deciding to join Schalke 04.

Liverpool are desperate for new defenders after Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip all suffered serious injuries.

Mustafi has reportedly been considered by Liverpool, but coach Jurgen Klopp turned his attention to Preston's Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak.

Arteta said that Arsenal will try to finalize several deals before the January transfer window closes on Monday local time or Tuesday WIB.

"We have decided (who will go today) and we are working on it."

“You will know before 11pm. I cannot speak of any individual player. What we want to do, the conversations we have, various reasons - let's see if we can get something done tonight. "

After confirming the agreement, Arteta paid tribute to Mustafi.

"Musti has been a key player for us for a long time," the coach said on the club's official website, as quoted by Antara from Goal on Tuesday.

"He played a very important role in my first season as coach and I want to thank him for his professionalism to be there when he is called up. Everyone at Arsenal wishes Musti success at Schalke 04."

Arsenal have also bid farewell to the player in an official statement.

"Shkodran Mustafi joined Bundesliga club Schalke 04 on a permanent transfer. The 28-year-old World Cup winner joined us from Valencia in August 2016 and has since been an important part of our back line. He made 151 appearances during his time at the club." Arteta.