Arsenal must be brave at Chelsea as we adapt to Unai Emery’s style, says Shkodran Mustafi

Brave new era: Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge for the first time under Emery
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James Olley17 August 2018

Shkodran Mustafi has urged his Arsenal team-mates not to be scared of making mistakes, as they seek to implement Unai Emery’s expansive playing style at Chelsea on Saturday.

The Gunners lost 2-0 against Manchester City in their Premier League opener, with several players guilty of losing possession cheaply as they tried to play out from the back as the new head coach demands.

Arsenal face another big test against Maurizio Sarri’s side on a ground where they have won just once since 2008 and Mustafi believes they must be brave.

He said: “Playing against Man City, it’s not easy to put everything you have been working on onto the pitch. Maybe against other teams you can get away with one or two mistakes. The next game is Chelsea — we can’t make too many.

“But if you are scared of making mistakes, that’s when they happen. We have to be sure about what we want to do. We are trying to play a different game from last year. If we’re confident, we’ll get results.’’

Emery succeeded Arsene Wenger at the end of May and has focused on improving fitness as well as increasing the emphasis on tactical and technical instruction.

Mustafi said: “He told me the positives in my game and what to work on. I’m happy because it’s difficult when you never know what to work on because no one tells you.

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