Arsenal confirm defender Shkodran Mustafi as their sixth summer signing

Arsenal have completed the signing of Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia as the Gunners enter deadline day having made six signings this summer, in the form of Lucas Perez, Granit Xhaka, and the young trio of Rob Holding, Takuma Asano and Kelechi Nwakali, alongside the German international. The news comes hours after the north London club announced the transfer of Perez to the Emirates, which is likely to see an end to their transfer business this summer.

The 24-year-old has spent two seasons in Spain and was part of the Germany squad for the 2016 Fifa World Cup in Brazil where they failed to progress past the semi-finals, losing to France in the process. Mustafi will slot in alongside Laurent Koscielny after the international break to replace Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, who are out injured leaving the Gunners short at the back.

Arsene Wenger feels he is the perfect signing for the Gunners as he is someone who can play out from the back, which is important for a team like Arsenal, who are known for their passing football. The defender spent a length of his youth in the Premier League with Everton but managed only one appearance under David Moyes, which forced him to make the move to Italy where he signed for Sampdoria.

"He is at the right age. He has good experience. He is a very focused player who can play with the ball as well. We have taken a great player but have prepared well for the future," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

On what made him join the club in the first place, Mustafi said, "Really it was the interest. When a club comes in and shows interest, and it's a club like Arsenal, that makes you feel special. When I heard of the interest and I saw people trying to get me here — and the situation wasn't the easiest one — but when you see that people really want to get you here, it gives the feeling that you're really wanted. That's why I'm here right now."