The Germany international very nearly left the club in the summer but was the standout performer as the Gunners shocked rivals Spurs on Saturday
Shkodran Mustafi was set to join the Arsenal summer exodus, mutiny was bound and the crew were ready to flee Arsene Wenger’s sinking ship.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had said his goodbyes and booked his ticket for Liverpool. Alexis Sanchez was desperately planning an exit of his own, while Wojciech Szczesny, Gabriel Paulista and Kieran Gibbs had all been shepherded onto lifeboats.
The Champions League stood a long way over the horizon, out of sight for the first time in 20 years.