“They will integrate into the team now and we will help them”, said the manager. It gives us a chance to get some oxygen and some space. “Like everybody else, we are going to fight to win every game to be in the mix until the last kick”.
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Mustafi came through the youth systems at Hamburg and Everton before breaking into the first team at Sampdoria, and joined Valencia in 2014. “They had medicals. We have to finish the paperwork and I don’t know exactly when we will announce it but look, I think it could be announced at the beginning of the week”. Everything was positive, so I was convinced very fast. “We don’t have any plans for anyone else now”.
Perez, who has agreed a long-term contract at the Emirates, will cost the Gunners £17million.
And the pair could make their debuts against Southampton on September 10.
The Gunners manager has started the England global in the first three matches and set up a goal for Alexis Sanchez in the north London club’s 3-1 win over Watford.
“I hope he has no [injury] setback because he is an intelligent player, he is focused and has a great desire to prove his critics wrong and he’s on a good way”.
He will come into direct competition with countryman Per Mertesacker for a starting spot, however his fellow German is now out injured, something which was one of the reasons Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was prompted to make an offer.
“‘We are not capable in the end to maintain completely for 90 minutes exactly the same intensity physically, but overall it’s a very encouraging performance and a good win”. But of course we need him.
“I believe he has a good mixture of short and long balls, in midfield it is important for us to sometimes stretch the opposition defenders”. To give assists but as well to score goals.
“I spoke with Patrick for two hours and I can say – and maybe he will not be happy that I am saying this in public – he is really disgusted by Arsenal & Arsene’s attitude”.
The Gunners suffered a 4-3 home defeat to Liverpool in their first match and had to settle for a goalless draw at the champions last week. “Mesut is almost there, not completely but he just goes ( away with Germany ) again so for us the break is not welcome”. “For us, the break is not welcome”.
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The pressure had been on Wenger and his side heading into the weekend after flawless starts from both Manchester clubs had left them playing catch-up.
