Emery tells under-fire Mustafi he can leave Arsenal

The Gunners defender has been linked with Monaco and could still move with the European transfer window open throughout August

Unai Emery admits he has told Shkodran Mustafi that he can find a new club.

“I spoke with him when we finished last season,” said the Spaniard. “I spoke with him when we started pre-season and I spoke with him also two weeks ago saying maybe there was the possibility he can leave.

“We decided to be more competitive in each position, at centre-back with David Luiz, with another player in the middle with (Dani) Ceballos, with Kieran Tierney, with (Nicolas) Pepe.

“I think being more competitive we can respond better in the season. Some players maybe they can play less with that situation and can leave.

“But it’s one decision taken with the player, with the club, with the team. At the moment he [Mustafi] is here and really if we need, he plays with us. I have confidence he will do well.”

Emery admits it is not an ideal situation and insists he will do all he can to try to keep Mustafi’s confidence up in case he is needed.

“We have a big responsibility,” said Emery. “The responsibility is to give them the best possibility to be with us with confidence.

“Some supporters can believe in or like one player more than another player, that’s normal.

“But inside I want to be strong and to create a big squad with a big, competitive, winning mentality and above all, one with confidence in each other.

“If he [Mustafi] needs to play, he can help us with confidence.”