In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown has praised Shkodran Mustafi's recent turnaround at the Emirates.

What did he say?

Well, the Germany international wasn't even making the Gunners squad under Unai Emery earlier in the campaign - he didn't make the 18 for any of their opening 12 Premier League matches - but his fortunes have changed in more recent times.

Indeed, the 27-year-old started eight successive games in the Premier League and Europa League for the north London outfit under Mikel Arteta, before being forced off with an injury in the second leg of their European tie against Olympiacos that saw him miss out against Portsmouth on Monday.

Discussing the central defender, Keown told FFC: "Mustafi has come back in and shown a lot of character and personality."

He added: "I still feel the manager will want to strengthen in that area."

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Much-deserved praise

It is certainly a case of credit where credit is due for the German.

Since he came back into the starting XI – with his new silver hair colour – he had looked improved from what we had seen at times before from him. Arsenal were unbeaten in the five top-flight fixtures he appeared in.

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Indeed, Keown labelled his defending as "schoolboy" following a home defeat against Crystal Palace in 2019, but it appears as though even he has been impressed with the 27-year-old's turnaround in recent weeks.

Mustafi will be hoping to return from injury as soon as possible and try and prove to Arteta that he has a spot in his backline moving forward.

Speaking as an ambassador for the FA and McDonald’s Grassroot Football Awards, former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown was launching the 2020 McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, ran in partnership with the four UK FAs. To nominate a grassroots football club or volunteer go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards.