Shkodran Mustafi celebrates Arsenal’s opener against Tottenham with Mesut Ozil (Picture: Getty)

Shkodran Mustafi has revealed the additional role he played in Arsenal’s opener against Tottenham on Saturday as Arsene Wenger’s side clinched an impressive 2-0 win over their north London rivals.

Germany international Mustafi headed the hosts in front after 36 minutes and was also influential in the build-up as he told Mesut Ozil to take charge of the free-kick on the left flank.

The opener arrived in controversial circumstances as Mike Dean contentiously penalised Davinson Sanchez for a tackle on Alexis Sanchez. Mustafi also appeared to be offside when Ozil’s delivery was struck.

Recalling his goal, Mustafi told Arsenal’s official website: ‘The thing is, as I was going up [Mesut Ozil] was on the other side of the pitch and I said “Mesut, please. Go to the ball and bring it in”.

‘I know his left foot and I know his deliveries and if you have players that can put the ball in like that, you go in with belief.

‘That’s the most important thing when you go up for corners and free kicks, the belief that you can score and with the team that we have and the quality that we have, you go in and try to get your head on the ball.’

Asked whether he thought he was indeed offside, Mustafi replied: ‘Well, I was only happy that they didn’t blow the whistle.

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‘It happened to me against Chelsea, so this time I’m lucky to get away with it. This is football, we always get things against us and things for us at the end of the year it is always a draw, you get good things and bad things.’

Mustafi, who joined the Gunners in the summer of 2016 from La Liga outfit Valencia, also hailed the team’s character as they proved too strong for in-form Spurs and moved to within a point of their rivals in the Premier League.

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‘I think we had a few good performances, but the only important thing is to keep it up,’ he added.

‘I think we did well today. It was a derby, it’s always a special game, but I think we showed character, we were there in all the important moments and when you do all of that you win games.’

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