Shkodran Mustafi has left Arsenal after having his contract terminated, with the German centre-back moving to Schalke on a free transfer.
The 28-year-old had less than six months remaining on his current deal and the Gunners decided it was best for him to leave the club early rather than keeping him until the summer.
Mustafi had only made nine appearances in all competitions this season under manager Mikel Arteta and fans on Twitter are pretty much in agreement that the decision to let the defender leave was the correct one:
My prayers have been answered
— Abz? (@certifiedshurie) February 1, 2021
GET INNN! Most of the deadwood gone! I can sense we’re gonna have a good summer window??
— Cody Bristow (@C99Cody1) February 1, 2021
Thank goodness man
— olamie lekan (@adiguno82189595) February 1, 2021
We paid so much money for him
— Adam Voráč (@VoracAdam) February 1, 2021
Good riddance
— Dribs (@Dribs__) February 1, 2021
I thank him for the goal against spurs and that’s absolutely it. Goodbye.
— Zacki Doumou (@DoumouZacki) February 1, 2021
There is a god
— Nathan Day (@NathanDay90_) February 1, 2021
Good news
— John Heche (@HecheJohn) February 1, 2021
Finally. Terrible CB
— Adookah (@AD0) February 1, 2021
Well, good news, but I still dont understand, why Arsenal can't sell these all players, but instead just terminates contracts ?
— DavidZaytsev (@DavidZaytsew) February 1, 2021
Why can't we ever sell players like normal clubs
— Valentin Boulan (@valentinboulan) February 1, 2021
Good for all
— Nemz (@Nemz45) February 1, 2021
Although a talented centre-half, Mustafi’s decision making left a lot to be desired. His mistakes meant he never really managed to establish himself at the Emirates, despite being at the club for four and a half years.
The fact that Mustafi is leaving Arsenal on a free transfer, when the club paid £35m to sign him from Valencia, shows they made a serious error when snapping him up back in 2016.