Shkodran Mustafi says criticism of his Arsenal performances has become so "irrational" that he was being blamed for defeats in which he did not play.

The German joined the Gunners in 2016 in a deal worth around £35 million and was an instant success, not tasting defeat in his first 21 games at the club.

"In the first two years after my move to Arsenal in 2016, things went very well for me. I saw myself as a [good] performer," he told Der Spiegel. "But shortly after Christmas 2018, there was an [injury]. I've made a few mistakes, and they’ve created a mess that I’ve never experienced before.

"I was out injured for three weeks and went into the game [against Liverpool, in December 2018] without training with the team because the coach needed me. It was 1-4 at half-time, I didn't look good and injured myself again.

"Afterwards, I got a lot of negative comments from Arsenal fans on Instagram and Twitter and was harshly criticised in articles. I'm self-critical enough to realise that I made mistakes [against Liverpool and a 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace]. I can also deal with tough criticism.

"But the criticism has become escalated and irrational. I have become a target. At one point, people even blamed me for a defeat in a game I had not played in."

He added: "There were days when I really doubted myself. But at some point I realised that I am mentally strong.

"Something my wife said helped me a lot: 'If you were really as bad as people are making you, you wouldn't be a World Cup winner or playing for Arsenal, something must have brought you here.' Since then, I can handle it better."

Emmanuel Petit described Mustafi as the 'King of Blunders' after he gave away a penalty against Tottenham last season.

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Mustafi has questioned Petit's motives, noting words from fans, ex-professionals and the like now stay in the public consciousness due to the Internet.

"That annoyed me a lot," he said. "It's the one thing when fans or media criticise you. But it's a different story when an ex-player who knows how hard it is on the field sometimes says so.

"I expect such players to be more sensitive and realise what this sharply worded critique can trigger. In the past, that might have been in the paper one day, and then people would have forgotten it. Today it’s on the Internet and will haunt me for the rest of my career.

"Former players like Petit should not have to make a name for themselves by making condescending comments about current players."

Arsenal were keen to offload Mustafi during the summer, manager Unai Emery confirming he told the defender he was surplus to requirements in July, but a transfer never materialised.

"There were options to move clubs in the summer," Mustafi adds. But no deal was satisfactory for all involved. I knew it was extremely important to make my next move a positive chapter in my career so if I moved somewhere where it didn't really fit, the situation would not improve. So I stayed.

"I am open for a future move, also for the Bundesliga."