(Video) Stats don’t lie as incoming Arsenal signing trumps stalwart with 122 more interceptions in last two years

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Arsenal are reportedly closing in on the signing of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, and certain statistics paint a positive picture for the club.

As reported by Sky Sports, the Gunners are in advanced talks over the transfer of the German international and are ready to pay a fee which will eventually rise to £35m.

Having chased the 24-year-old for weeks, Arsene Wenger will be hopeful that a deal can be done before the transfer deadline next week.

His search for defensive reinforcements comes after both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel picked up long-term injuries, leaving him short of experience and quality in the central positions as summer signing Rob Holding has immediately been thrown into the team.

Nevertheless, should Arsenal complete a deal for Mustafi, it bodes well for the team compared to what Mertesacker has offered the side since 2014.

As shown in the video below courtesy of Sky Sports, Mustafi has made five more league appearances than his compatriot over the last two years, and trumps him in almost every department.

The Valencia defensive ace boasts 122 more interceptions, 85 more clearances and 49 more tackles won, although his passing accuracy is slightly down on Mertesacker who had an 89 percent completion rate.

Arsenal needed to strengthen and upgrade this summer, and by the looks of this graphic, it appears as though they are doing so in central defence with Mustafi likely to establish himself as the top-choice partner for Laurent Koscielny moving forward.

However, the deal has yet to go through as Wenger looks to do some late business and quieten the criticism and abuse that he has received in recent weeks for a lack of spending and activity in the market.

He’ll hope that Mustafi can play his part in making them a more solid defensive unit to help lead them to silverware this season, but time will tell as to how smart a move it proves to be.

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