So it’s been a minute since Per Mertesacker joined Arsenal and unsurprisingly people are beginning to evaluate the merits of Arsene’s most recent defensive addition. The tendency with Arsenal, in the media and throughout the fan-base seems to be quite negative when it comes to discussing new signings, but the general feeling when it comes to Per seems to be one of tempered optimism.
He has indeed been extremely solid in his last couple of games and hasn’t had any shaky moments thus far. If he hasn’t exactly looked assertive or ‘dominant’, at least it’s clear that he’s getting the basics right. The Arsenal defence certainly looks better organised since his arrival, and given a few more weeks to gel with his teammates and settle at the club, the signs are there that he could be a real asset for the Gunners.
Given his international credentials, I never really doubted he’d be a hit in the Premier League and there’s every chance he could go on to be one of the best centre backs around. To achieve recognition as a centre-back whilst playing for Arsenal appears to be nigh on impossible at the moment, but the hope is that Per will help steady the ship and when Vermaelen returns from injury the club will be much more assured defensively.
This may sound strange initially, but I believe that part of the benefit of having Per at Arsenal is his lack of pace. Because he hasn’t got the legs to chase back all the time the Gunners are forced to play deeper and in turn aren’t caught out at the back as much as usual. The Arsenal high line has been exposed for many too many years and with players not pressing properly or getting stuck in enough it’s not too surprising that they’ve looked weak defensively.
Hopefully with Per in the defence this will no longer be a problem for the Gunners. At the moment of course, he is still adapting to English football and we shouldn’t expect any miracles from him.
So long as he gets the basics right and helps give Arsenal shape and structure, he’s doing a good job. The plaudits and adulation will come later.
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You must be drunk,he is a ringer in looks and quality to Stepanovs.Another donkey bought on the cheap from a manager who wouldnt know a good defender if he bit his arse
Yeah totally agree with you Jay another overpriced Squillaci job. He’s a total joke for a defender of his height and he cant jump higher than other players, I thought that was the whole point of buying a defender his height. Why would you buy a defender who’s known for being so slow, he was slow enough in the german league, the prem is much faster and with Arsenal keeping a high line surely its common sense we need a defender who’s fast. With all the money Wengers wasted on crap players we could have bought 2 or 3 decent ones.
Jay, you can’t be serious surely? Stepanovs? Mertesacker has 75 international caps for one of the strongest national teams in the world. You really can’t compare the two. I think he (Mertesacker) will become a great signing. It wasn’t long ago that an awful lot of Arsenal fans were calling for him to be signed, now he is they all seemed to want to slag him off?????
some of the fans like jay belongs to Manshit. Per plays for the might Germany! get that into your head man.he is quality in reading the game and as we go forward am sure he will stabilize the defense.
It wouldn’t take a lot to be the best of AW “Let’s get down to the shops. There’s only 2 minutes before they close .. oh there’s not a lot left is there after everybody else has got what they want” transfer policy. Arteta instead of Parker? Unbelievable. It’s like Wenger thinks hard work is ugly and doesn’t fit in with his 5 foot 8, lets be pretty ethos. Of all the signings I thought Per would be the best but unless he’s not match fit, he doesn’t look very special. After 15 years at Arsenal why isn’t there a home grown kid suitable? I mean, Per is okay but not brilliant. Surely if AW is so good he can produce one good but not brilliant English kid in 15 years?
He was certainly NOT assertive in the ‘Spurs game yesterday but I think he will settle. The injury situation is horrific. This team has not fielded a consistent XI since the season began. Wenger needs to be more animated and positive with these younger players. I think he doesn’t realize how remote and petulant he looks on the sidelines. It may cost him his job.
Jay you are an absolute C U Next Tuesday! He is a German international, and one of the best defenders in the world!