Arsene Wenger reveals the reason it took so long for him to complete the signing of Shkodran Mustafi

Arsene Wenger has revealed his frustration at having been forced to wait until the end of the transfer window to sign Shkodran Mustafi.

The Germany international already looks a shrewd investment, even at £35 million, with his partnership alongside Laurent Koscielny helping Arsenal’s recent surge up the Premier League table.

Wenger confirmed the club first began talks over a deal as early as July but Valencia’s delaying tactics forced the player to push for the move himself.

‘We started negotiating, we met with Ivan Gazidis in the states the agent of Mustafi and agreed the deal but it took long to get over the line as Valencia were reluctant to sell,’ he said.

‘We also took longer because in pre-season he was injured and he couldn’t have played against Liverpool.

‘When he came he had had just 45 minutes of competition. We needed him to push too and that is sometimes a slow process as it is not only us that can decide whether he signs.