Shkodran Mustafi admits he could've retired if he didn't win his place back at Arsenal.

The often criticised centre-back has enjoyed a great start to 2020 with new manager Mikel Arteta.

"At the end of the day we know how it is in football," said Mustafi.

"You always get your chances, you always get the possibilities to go again and go again and when you start thinking like you said, I think it's when you retire from football.

"It's not the way a professional should think.

"For me it's always been the same, I always try to put my personal stuff behind me and be there for the team.

"Always when the team needed me I wanted to be there, not only in the games but as well in training.

"It's easy to be professional when things are going good but I think it's the same and important when things are not going so good personally, to be professional.

"At the end of the day, we are here to work and we are here to play for a big club.

"I always wanted to be ready and be there and whenever the team or the coach needs me I always say I'm going to be there."