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Shkodran Mustafi proved last night just how finished he is with Arsenal fans.

The German has been mocked, booed and criticised for the majority of his time in north London after struggling to live up to his £35m price tag.

Mustafi netted what looked to be the winner in Arsenal's clash with Vitoria on Wednesday, heading home with nine minutes of normal time remaining.

What should have been a joyous moment for everyone involved at the club, especially the defender who has so often been vilified, turned into a sour realisation that all is not right behind the scenes at the Gunners.

As Mustafi wheeled away in celebration, he cupped his hand to his ear as he looked in the direction of the travelling supporters.

Was this a show of solidarity for Granit Xhaka, who has also suffered abuse at the hands of Arsenal fans?

Or was this Mustafi simply following suit, copying the Swiss star's blatant dig at an unforgiving fanbase.

(Image: Getty)

Whatever the reason, it proves that these Arsenal scapegoats are fragile and clearly hurting from the torrent of abuse being aimed at them.

Xhaka and Mustafi are not bad players, they simply have a mistake in them from time to time.

While their performances in north London haven't been to the standard expected of them, it must be incredibly difficult knowing they are scrutinised more than anyone for their displays in an Arsenal shirt.

How can a player possibly improve with that type of pressure on his shoulders?

To add, Unai Emery is not a bad manager.

(Image: GETTY)

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But he is now starting to receive the same sort of negativity from the stands and on social media.

Xhaka will undoubtedly leave. There is simply no way back now the armband has been taken away.

Mustafi will undoubtedly leave. Especially considering the fact Emery has already tried to flog him in recent months.

And it looks like the manager could follow both stars out the door himself, with pressure growing on the Arsenal board to sack a manager for the first time since 1996.

Even if the unpopular trio do depart north London, the toxic culture from the stands at Arsenal must end.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The days of Arsene Wenger securing the club a top four finish each season are over.

Arsenal have changed and the Premier League has changed.

The club are now fighting to finish in the top six, never mind for the title.

Emery has proved his credentials all across Europe, Xhaka will likely play 100 times for the country he captains and Mustafi is a seasoned professional who has a World Cup winner's medal in his home.

But their CV's will be tainted by their time at Arsenal as it stands - and that is down to the fans, more than their performances at the club.