ECL excites Arsenal recruit Mustafi

Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi says the prospect of playing Champions League football again is one of the reasons he has chosen to leave Valencia for Arsenal.

"I want to play in the Champions League again and with players who I can learn from. The stars at Arsenal have achieved so much and will be able to teach me a few things," he said.

The transfer is yet to be officially confirmed by the clubs, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said at the weekend Mustafi and striker Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna were about to be signed by the Premier League side.

Mustafi, 24, joined up with the rest of Germany's squad on Monday for Wednesday's friendly international against Finland in Moenchengladbach.

He said another factor on his decision to join the Gunners was his Germany teammate Mesut Oezil, who was signed by Arsenal.

Mustafi will also team up with fellow central defender and former Germany international Per Mertesacker, who is out injured for a month.

Wenger indicated that the two signings would end his summer transfer activity. Arsenal have already bought Switzerland international Granit Xhaka from Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Wenger had been looking for more cover in central defence, where Brazil's Gabriel Paulista is also out with an ankle injury and Laurent Koscielny was initially rested following Euro 2016.