Nacho Monreal: 'Shkodran Mustafi will easily adapt at Arsenal'

Valencia's new German defender Shkodran Mustafi gives a press conference during his official presentation in Valencia on August 7, 2014
© Getty Images
Nacho Monreal expects Shkodran Mustafi to hit the ground running if given the nod to start Arsenal's Premier League meeting with Southampton on Saturday.

Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has backed teammate Shkodran Mustafi to quickly adapt to his new surroundings when making his debut this weekend.

The Germany international, who completed a £35m move to the Emirates Stadium from Valencia last week, is expected to start against Southampton on Saturday after being declared fit.

Mustafi will need to hit the ground running if Arsenal are to make it back-to-back wins when the Saints visit North London, and Monreal is confident that the former Everton man boasts the quality to do exactly that.

"He will find it easy to adapt to the club. He has already lived abroad, he speaks the language and he knows Mesut Ozil," he told the club's official website.

"All those elements will lessen the impact of changing environments. Luckily for him, he will feel at home from the very first day. Mustafi is a player I like. He is experienced and really tough to beat, which makes him very suitable for the Premier League's style.

"We really needed to bring a centre back to the club considering Per Mertesacker and Gabriel [Paulista]'s injuries, as well as Calum Chambers' departure on loan. I hope he feels happy here from the very beginning so he can do for us what he does best."

Mustafi made a switch to Arsenal as part of a double signing, with Lucas Perez also joining the club from Deportivo La Coruna for around £17m before the transfer window closed.

Calum Chambers of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at the Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2015
Read Next:
Boro agree deal to sign Calum Chambers?
>

CountryGoldGSilverSBronzeBTotal
1 ChinaChina615029140
2 Great BritainGreat Britain31172270
3 UkraineUkraine26202470
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City4400114712
2Chelsea431094510
3Everton431072510
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd43017349
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs42207258
6Liverpool42119727
7Arsenal42118627
8Hull City42115327
9Middlesbrough41214405
10Watford411278-14
11Crystal Palace411234-14
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom411223-14
13Swansea CitySwansea411246-24
14Bournemouth411235-24
15Burnley411235-24
16Leicester CityLeicester411247-34
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham410359-43
18Southampton402236-32
19Sunderland401338-51
20Stoke CityStoke4013210-81