Arsenal Sign Per Mertesacker

[Tony Tuesdays]

According to twatter...

[The Verminator]

The fee is about £8.8 million it's subject to a medical according to most respectable media outlets.

[Niall_Quinn]

respectable media outlets

:shrug:

[The Verminator]

:shrug:

Sky Sports is respectable enough imo:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,20876_7138743,00.html?

[Fist of Lehmann]

Better than nothing I suppose.

[The Verminator]

I wasn't so enthusiastic at first due to reports on his lack of pace/acceleration but thinking about how most of our goals were conceded from set pieces last season, this could actually be just the signing we need. :)

[Letters]

At least I've heard of him and he's 6' 6" which will add some much needed height.
Could be a decent signing. Need more but it's a start.

[Niall_Quinn]

At least I've heard of him and he's 6' 6" which will add some much needed height.
Could be a decent signing. Need more but it's a start.

Doubt he'll stay 6' 6" for long once he starts playing for us.

[Maestro]

Set to undergo a medical - bbc ticker

[Özim]

8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.

Let's hope the signings get better from here.......

[Japan Shaking All Over]

At least I've heard of him and he's 6' 6" which will add some much needed height.
Could be a decent signing. Need more but it's a start.

6'6 and slow, sure we havenr just signed Gunnersarus?

[Letters]

I've not seen him loads but we do concede a lot from set pieces and he may help with that.
I'll judge him when I see him playing but at least he's an established played and not some kid.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.

Let's hope the signings get better from here.......

Oh feck off with your moaning the guy is what we needed who else would we sign in the short space of time.
you have said we won't win anything so we have nothing to loose singing this guy then.

[dazthegooner]

85 caps for Germany says it all and only 26.

[Özim]

Oh feck off with your moaning the guy is what we needed who else would we sign in the short space of time.
you have said we won't win anything so we have nothing to loose singing this guy then.
F*ck off everything I've ever posted about him has mentioned how sh*t he is going back years.

You don't like it...tough luck.

[Letters]

85 caps for Germany says it all and only 26.

Yeah, but Cahill's 25 and got 3 caps for the footballing giant England.
And he's been at Bolton for the last 4 years without a sniff of interest from any of England or Europe's top clubs

Cahill :bow:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

F*ck off everything I've ever posted about him has mentioned how sh*t he is going back years.

You don't like it...tough luck.

How can he be shit when he has played 75 times for Germany, germany are not england you have to be good the get in their side.

Just because he don't play for bayern or real ffs. Cahill is not worth more then 16 mill they were asking for.

[Maestro]

Surely he can't be that bad Zimm, give him a chance.


8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.

Let's hope the signings get better from here.......

[Özim]

Surely he can't be that bad Zimm, give him a chance.
As slow as a barge, not particular good at defending...the only thing he has going for him is his height.

I'll be honest and say I don't understand this signing, height is great but a player has to be good at what he does too.

You can't trust Wenger with defenders though, just look at the cr*p he's signed.

[Niall_Quinn]

Let's get Mertesacker AND Cahill, enough fucking around FFS!

[Özim]

How can he be shit when he has played 75 times for Germany, germany are not england you have to be good the get in their side.

Just because he don't play for bayern or real ffs. Cahill is not worth more then 16 mill they were asking for.
Easily, Germany lack quality defenders.

Remember him in 2006 the German defence was a shambles the CB partnership was the problem.

It's not the fact he doesn't play for a top club, it's the fact I've seen him and never been impressed, some of the other players we've been linked with are more promising (even this Santos bloke) but this guy gets a big thumbs down from me.

[Letters]

As slow as a barge, not particular good at defending...the only thing he has going for him is his height.

I'll be honest and say I don't understand this signing, height is great but a player has to be good at what he does too.

You can't trust Wenger with defenders though, just look at the cr*p he's signed.

And yet you rate Cahill who has a whopping 3 caps for England and has played for Bolton for years without any interest from England or Europe's top sides.

[dazthegooner]

Yeah, but Cahill's 25 and got 3 caps for the footballing giant England.
And he's been at Bolton for the last 4 years without a sniff of interest from any of England or Europe's top clubs

Cahill :bow:

:lol:

[Coney]

*Bam*

[Özim]

And yet you rate Cahill who has a whopping 3 caps for England and has played for Bolton for years without any interest from England or Europe's top sides.
It's not the amount of caps it's how they perform.

Cahill has proved he's good playing for a lesser side in England just because he doens't have 75 caps it doesn't matter.

Ian Wright never got that many caps for England but look how good he was.

I've only got bad memories of Mertersacker, going back 5 years.

[Letters]

Remember him in 2006 the German defence was a shambles the CB partnership was the problem.

They came 3rd in the World Cup in 2006.
Fair enough if you personally don't rate him, I've no strong opinion but he's played for a decent club and is an international regular for a far better international side than England. Cahill is playing for a crap club and struggles to get near the England side.

[Letters]

It's not the amount of caps it's how they perform.

Cahill has proved he's good playing for a lesser side in England just because he doens't have 75 caps it doesn't matter.

Well, it says something about him that no big clubs have come in for Cahill and he's not a regular for England.
The fact Mertersacker is such a regular for Germany says to me that they think he performs quite well. And frankly, Germany are a much better international side than we are.

Let's see how he does, at least he's tall and we've all thought for years our team is too small. It may help with the infamous set piece problem.

[Coney]

Well, it says something about him that no big clubs have come in for Cahill and he's not a regular for England.
The fact Mertersacker is such a regular for Germany says to me that they think he performs quite well. And frankly, Germany are a much better international side than we are.

Let's see how he does, at least he's tall and we've all thought for years our team is too small. It may help with the infamous set piece problem.

And being a kraut, he will be handy in the event of a pelanty shoot-out. ;)

[Daniele]

Imagine you are a club that don't watch and read the English media. who would you get?

Mertesacker, 26, 2 WC played, 75 caps in the German national team which reached the top 4 both times

or

Cahill, 25, 3 caps in the England national team, no WC, no CL experience, playing for Bolton.

?

[Syn]

Imagine you are a club that don't watch and read the English media. who would you get?Mertesacker, 26, 2 WC played, 75 caps in the German national team which reached the top 4 both times orCahill, 25, 3 caps in the England national team, no WC, no CL experience, playing for Bolton.? Yup. I said it before and I'll say it again - I don't get the fuss about Cahill. He's good, but some here are making him sound like the fucking messi of centre backs.

[The Wengerbabies]

Finally we sign a decent centre half.

[gunnerrrrr]

wait a minute people are moaning about the signing of a world class centre back??

[Özim]

wait a minute people are moaning about the signing of a world class centre back??
We've signed a world class centre half, wow this is exciting who is he?

[Joker]

wait a minute people are moaning about the signing of a world class centre back??

Mertersacker is anything but world class.

[Power n Glory]

Easily, Germany lack quality defenders.

Remember him in 2006 the German defence was a shambles the CB partnership was the problem.

It's not the fact he doesn't play for a top club, it's the fact I've seen him and never been impressed, some of the other players we've been linked with are more promising (even this Santos bloke) but this guy gets a big thumbs down from me.

2006 was a long time ago. How old was he? 20, 21? They came third at least.

Can't judge a young player too harshly in the World Cup. If you'd have watched Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi during the last WC, you'd have wondered what the fuss was all about if you've never seen them play before.

I'm not sure about the guy, but we might as well wait and see. He's got to be better than the rubbish we currently have in our team.

[Cripps_orig]

Delighted with this signing. Brilliant CB whenever I've seen him and has performed at the highest level where he was awesome at the last 2 World Cups.

[Ironing]

Delighted with this signing. Brilliant CB whenever I've seen him and has performed at the highest level where he was awesome at the last 2 World Cups.

Ach stamp of approval. That's good enough for me

[AKBapologist]

We could still sign Cahill. Major doubts over Vermealens long term fitness afaik.

Not that I rate Cahill. Remembers watching him get beat up at wembley vs Stoke during the FA cup.

[AKBapologist]

Ach stamp of approval. That's good enough for me
:lol:







:(

[RomfordPele]

Sounds like a good signing providing we play to his strength.

If he's short on pace, we can't be pushing our backline miles forward and allowing the easy ball over the top as we have for the last couple of months.

We don't just need new players, we also need to play differently.

[Master Splinter]

German giants :bow:.

[GP]

Awesome signing.

Anyone who knows their football will be delighted.

[Niall_Quinn]

Mertesacker 4 goals
Cahill 7 goals

Cahill almost twice as good.

[Kano]

good signing, just what was needed more importantly in experience and hopefully leadership, the same for santos.

[Master Splinter]

Ju's a captain too :good:.

This is true.

[Marc Overmars]

It will be good to see him bossing the big mother fuckers teams like Stoke have. :good:

[Letters]

Mertesacker 4 goals
Cahill 7 goals

Cahill almost twice as good.

:haha:

[selassie]

This potentially is a very good piece of business. I do worry about Mertesacker's lack of pace but he's a proper Centre Half with bags of experience. He's quite young too.

He could potentially form an excellent partnership with Tommy V.

[Mr. Lahey]

Awesome signing.

Anyone who knows their football will be delighted.

Agreed. You dont get into the German side that many times by being shit. Great signing and better than Cahill, Samba and Jagielka IMO.

[cheesy bites]

Tall
Experienced
Played in big games
Leadership ability

:good:

[Özim]

Tall
Experienced
Played in big games
Leadership ability

:good:
Leadership ability you say?


Arsenal's new centre-back Per Mertesacker comes to the aid of his boyhood club in their hour of need

When Per Mertesacker was growing up he and his two brothers would travel to visit his aunt who lived in England.

The three were obsessed with football and their priority was making sure they each came home with a Premier League team’s shirt. Mertesacker came back to his home near Hanover with an Arsenal shirt and he supported them ever since.

Now the German international is returning to England to pull on an Arsenal shirt for real, coming to the aid of his adopted club in their time of need.

Since emerging onto the football scene in Germany in 2004, Mertesacker has spoken affectionately of Arsenal and now, with just a year left on his contract with Werder Bremen, the 26-year-old is about to make good on those childhood ambitions.

Mertesacker grew up in Pattensen, near Hanover, and attended a school in Hemmingen that specialised in sport (it has produced several other Bundesliga players), staying to complete his abitur, the equivalent of A-levels.

While he had come through local teams to secure a professional contract with Hanover 96 - where his father Stefan was one of his coaches - he was not considered a particular promising player and came close to quitting.


There was little to persuade him otherwise when he made his Hanover debut as a 19 year old against Cologne. Ralf Rangnick, the coach who took Schalke to the Champions League semi-finals last season, threw him into the starting XI at right back - not the natural position for a one-paced six-foot-sixer - and then hauled him off at half time.


An inauspicious start, but things started to change very swiftly. In the 2004-05 season Mertesacker established himself as a first-choice central defender and after just 20 games with Hanover was called up by Jurgen Klinsmann for a national team friendly in Tehran.
It was a remarkably swift elevation and he suddenly found himself signing autographs for his school friends. Mertesacker still lived with his parents and had to borrow his dad’s laptop to get his emails from Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff.

When Klinsmann gave him a DVD of footage analysing his performance, Mertesacker meekly offered that he did not own a DVD player.

This all contributes to his reputation in Germany as an anti-star. On leaving school he decided not to do military service, instead doing community service, working in an institution for the mentally ill.

His partner is the German international handball player Ulrike Stange, with whom he has a son, Paul. He has used his celebrity to set up the Mertesacker foundation which raises money for charity through selling football merchandise and annual celebrity matches.

Mertesacker, rake thin with blond hair, cut a distinctive figure at the 2006 World Cup, where he played every minute of every game as Klinsmann’s team reached the semi-finals on home soil. His development had earned him a move to Werder Bremen that summer, for the modest fee of 5million euros.

As a player he is distinguished by tactical intelligence. His height means he is good in the air but really it is his positioning that is his strongest suit, masking as it does a relative lack of pace.

What is perhaps most remarkable about Mertesacker - and something that will come to the relief of Arsene Wenger and his suspension-ravaged squad - is his clean disciplinary record. In 221 Bundesliga games he has received only nine yellow cards and two reds. He has said in interviews that he was never even booked as a youth team player.

He is not perhaps the vocal on-pitch leader Arsenal fans have been craving and his form has declined in the last two years as Werder Bremen have struggled (they finished 13th last season).

This is a crucial move for him as much as Arsenal. But you do not win 75 caps for Germany at only 26 if you are not a seriously talented defender.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8731825/Arsenals-new-centre-back-Per-Mertesacker-comes-to-the-aid-of-his-boyhood-club-in-their-hour-of-need.html

[gunnerrrrr]

Leadership ability you say?


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/8731825/Arsenals-new-centre-back-Per-Mertesacker-comes-to-the-aid-of-his-boyhood-club-in-their-hour-of-need.html

all three Wenger signings have an old skool le professor feel about them....i am pleased by this, this is what Arsene was fcuking good at.

Fuck the youngsters or well known players, give me the gems that Wenger can bring the best out of.

I am happy however we still need a player to help keep possession in midfield ala Cesc or Nasri and that is where we will struggle to find a replacement.

Juan Mata would have been perfect.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I can't understand the instant dismissal of an experienced tactically aware international defender who is an automatic choice in the German national team. This is IMHO the type of signing we have been crying out for! My only complaint is that this should have been done pretty much as soon as the transfer window opened.

[Özim]

I can't understand the instant dismissal of an experienced tactically aware international defender who is an automatic choice in the German national team. This is IMHO the type of signing we have been crying out for! My only complaint is that this should have been done pretty much as soon as the transfer window opened.
If you've never rated him in the 1st place and have said so many times in the last 5 years I don't see a reason why you would change your mind just because we happened to have signed him.

Samba, Cahill would have been much better IMO, proven in the PL for a start. There's other options but if we were going to go foreign he wouldn't have been my choice.

[GP]

I can't understand the instant dismissal of an experienced tactically aware international defender who is an automatic choice in the German national team. This is IMHO the type of signing we have been crying out for! My only complaint is that this should have been done pretty much as soon as the transfer window opened.

:gp:

[Xhaka Can’t]

I'm going to trust the German Mangers' ratings of him more than yours. We need someone who can deal with deadball situations and this guy seems exactly what we need for that. My only concern about him is his quiet nature.

[Marc Overmars]

His club form hasn't been too hot over the past couple of years, but then German players always seen to save their best for the national side.

Considering his height and experience though, you have to think he is more than good enough to make a positive impact on a team who is defensively retarded.

[Letters]

I can't understand the instant dismissal of an experienced tactically aware international defender who is an automatic choice in the German national team. This is IMHO the type of signing we have been crying out for! My only complaint is that this should have been done pretty much as soon as the transfer window opened.

It's pretty obvious. If someone takes the position that EVERYTHING Wenger and Arsenal does is wrong, they can't then admit that any signing we make is any good. Even if it does mean dismissing a regular in the German national side and thinking a better signing would have been someone who plays for a team of mid-table cloggers, hardly gets a sniff of a (much poorer, relative to Germany) England set up and hasn't had any interest from any decent sides in England or Europe.

But yes, we should have had this all sorted out in June.

[GP]

Under neon loneliness

Mertersacker Emptiness

[LDG]

Under neon loneliness

Mertersacker Emptiness

What price now, for a samba, and a piece of dignity :(

[Niall_Quinn]

What price now, for a samba, and a piece of dignity :(

No chance on the dignity, that ship sailed, but Samba could be on, 13 hours to find out.

Everything Wenger and Arsenal does is wrong, I tell you :oldboy:

[Letters]

Everything Wenger and Arsenal does is wrong, I tell you :oldboy:

Your face is wrong, tbh <_<

[Kano]

mmm. a german international that has played in two world cups, 75 caps or some spacker from blackburn that no one else wants. decisions, decisions.

[Niall_Quinn]

Your face is wrong, tbh <_<

Everything Wenger and Arsenal and your mum's face does is wrong, I tell you :oldboy:

[GP]

Epic burn.

[Letters]

:upset: That's very hurtful.

[Niall_Quinn]

:upset: That's very hurtful.

You're in the God squad, forgive me!

[Letters]

You're in the God squad, forgive me!

Stupid petard <_<

well alright then, but only 'cos Jebus told me to.

[Özim]

It's pretty obvious. If someone takes the position that EVERYTHING Wenger and Arsenal does is wrong, they can't then admit that any signing we make is any good. Even if it does mean dismissing a regular in the German national side and thinking a better signing would have been someone who plays for a team of mid-table cloggers, hardly gets a sniff of a (much poorer, relative to Germany) England set up and hasn't had any interest from any decent sides in England or Europe.

But yes, we should have had this all sorted out in June.
That's total nonsense to be honest.

I want Wenger out regardless of the signings, he's done IMO.

However I still want to see quality players come in, if only for the next manager....as I've said before Ze German Barge isn't one I rate, I never have and it's nothing to do with Wenger. On top of that the last 2 years his form has been patchy as mentioned in the article and he's not a leader either, why would we sign someone who's been out of form and is untested in England when we can sign a player who is established in the PL, particularly in defence.

[Letters]

I want Wenger out regardless of the signings.

Really? You should have said.

[Dog Toffee]

Can't see how anyone can dissaprove of this signing. Tall, very experienced, international quality CB. Good.

[selassie]

I don't think many are really disapproving but the signing of Mertesacker does smack of Wenger going for the cheap option. Jagielka was clearly our first choice target this summer & last summer, we didn't sign him because we weren't prepared to pay up. It seems Cahill was our second choice, again it seems we weren't prepared to pay up.

It looks as if Mertesacker was third on the list and we signed him because he fits into Arsene's fair valuation of a player.

Mertesacker is a good player, I do have doubts about his lack of pace, and he's not playing at the level he was a couple of years ago but he'll improve our defence and has the potentially to form a very good partnership with Tommy V.

[IBK]

I don't think many are really disapproving but the signing of Mertesacker does smack of Wenger going for the cheap option. Jagielka was clearly our first choice target this summer & last summer, we didn't sign him because we weren't prepared to pay up. It seems Cahill was our second choice, again it seems we weren't prepared to pay up.

It looks as if Mertesacker was third on the list and we signed him because he fits into Arsene's fair valuation of a player.

Mertesacker is a good player, I do have doubts about his lack of pace, and he's not playing at the level he was a couple of years ago but he'll improve our defence and has the potentially to form a very good partnership with Tommy V.

Spot on. I think that fans for once want a a player purchased for pure footballing reasons, not economic ones. I don't follow German football, and have no opinion on Mertesacker's ability - but its pretty clear that he wasn't first choice and I worry about what look like panic, rather than planned purchases.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm warming to this Mertesacker signing. Surely he'll command a lot of respect with the nippers in our squad given his already impressive history. He brings experience we desperately lack, even if it's not PL experience, the guy simply has to be a massive step up from the likes of Djourou and Kos so quite a few boxes are being ticked here. Plus, if his price means we can sign a serious midfielder in the next few hours it's surely better to end up with Mertesacker + 1 rather than Cahill or Jagielka + nothing else. I think this was the right deal, provided we sign that midfielder. Otherwise it would be fairly obvious he's been bought because he's the cheapest. Next few hours and we'll know.

[Dog Toffee]

It can't just turn into a bad signing because we don't go on to buy someone else because of it surely? It's good in its own right, but an experienced CM is needed, we cant JUST rely on creativity from midfield on jack n that welsh cripple.

[Niall_Quinn]

It can't just turn into a bad signing because we don't go on to buy someone else because of it surely? It's good in its own right, but an experienced CM is needed, we cant JUST rely on creativity from midfield on jack n that welsh cripple.

I'm not talking about Mertesacker as much as the club. The German is a piece in the puzzle, but if we skimp and don't fill in the other pieces then Mertesacker being here or not won't make enough of a difference. Plus the signing will have been made for the wrong reasons, a sticking plaster rather than as part of a bigger plan.

[GP]

Spot on. I think that fans for once want a a player purchased for pure footballing reasons, not economic ones. I don't follow German football, and have no opinion on Mertesacker's ability - but its pretty clear that he wasn't first choice and I worry about what look like panic, rather than planned purchases.

Ragardless of price, I'd have taken Merts over Cahill or Jags anyway.

[Master Splinter]

I'm surprised Mertespacker hasn't been used yet.

One game with Djourou will probably earn him that epitaph.

[Cripps_orig]

1653: Still agonisingly short of a done deal but here is some more news on Per Mertesacker's inevitable arrival at Arsenal: The big German defender has announced on his personal website that he has signed a contract lasting until 2015. Roughly translated, he says: "For Per Mertesacker a long-cherished wish has come true. He never made a secret of the fact that most excites him the English league." Good to see him speaking in the third person already...

:bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

:bow:

The boy done good.

[Özim]

I don't think many are really disapproving but the signing of Mertesacker does smack of Wenger going for the cheap option. Jagielka was clearly our first choice target this summer & last summer, we didn't sign him because we weren't prepared to pay up. It seems Cahill was our second choice, again it seems we weren't prepared to pay up.

It looks as if Mertesacker was third on the list and we signed him because he fits into Arsene's fair valuation of a player.

Mertesacker is a good player, I do have doubts about his lack of pace, and he's not playing at the level he was a couple of years ago but he'll improve our defence and has the potentially to form a very good partnership with Tommy V.
I think that's an excellent post, like you said the cheap option once again.

Really not convinced with this guy but we shall see.

[Ironing]

What kind of a name is PER?

[Niall_Quinn]

What kind of a name is PER?

Short for Percy.

[Özim]

Short for Percy.
His name translates as "Percy the Barge"

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Can't see how anyone can dissaprove of this signing. Tall, very experienced, international quality CB. Good.

Are you new here

[Özim]

Are you new here
You need some new material methinks.

[Letters]

You need some new material methinks.

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/9/8/9759be60-692f-448a-8ac1-f466516cff58.jpg

[GP]

:lol:

Mertesacker :bow:


Wenger OUT!

[The Verminator]

What kind of a name is PER?

Worryingly, one my cat says in her sleep. :(

[Özim]

WWTL@WHL);39546]http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/9/8/9759be60-692f-448a-8ac1-f466516cff58.jpg[/email]
Yeah you're meters and gauges are f*cked though after all you thought all was good at the Arsenal, takes us in the know to realise it wasn't :coffee:

[Letters]

after all you thought all was good at the Arsenal

No I didn't but nice work just making stuff up to WUM up the place. :tiphat:

[Özim]

No I didn't but nice work just making stuff up to WUM up the place. :tiphat:
Ah come on, for years you've been arguing that Wenger is great and how things are fine, it was clear it wasn't and finally the sh*t has hit the fan (literally).

This could have all been avoided of course, but Wenger knows after all.

[Niall_Quinn]

No I didn't but nice work just making stuff up to WUM up the place. :tiphat:

Bet you're sorry you objected so loudly to calls for Wenger to go at the end of last season.

[Letters]

Bet you're sorry you objected so loudly to calls for Wenger to go at the end of last season.

Aye, I do feel a bit silly about that now <_<

[Letters]

and finally the sh*t has hit the fan (literally).

literally? :unsure:

Again, you're making stuff up and you know you are so I'll ignore the rest.

[Niall_Quinn]

and finally the sh*t has hit the fan (literally).

PHW has gone too far this time.

[Letters]

:haha:

NQ :bow:

[The Verminator]

PHW has gone too far this time.

Personally I felt it was about time he fell on the sword.

[GP]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/per-mertesacker-set-to-join-arsenal

[Tony Tuesdays]

http://i47.tinypic.com/zjypt0.gif

[Tony Tuesdays]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/397x498/aug_11/zp_Mertersacker_12_110830MAFC_4313.jpg?ic=c3049cT

[Ollie the Optimist]

i think he is an excellent signing and just what we need.


oh and zimm how about giving the lad a chance?

[Master Splinter]

I wish we have an even bigger injury crisis for the Swansea game so we can witness a Mertesacker and Arshavin central defensive partnership.

[Penguin]

I've never been impressed with him before. He's got a mistake in him and hes neither vocal nor a leader. I suppose his height will come in handy but one player wont change our frailties at set. Our lack of organisation and focus have nothing to do with height.

'Better than nothing' sums it up I think.

[Özim]

I've never been impressed with him before. He's got a mistake in him and hes neither vocal nor a leader. I suppose his height will come in handy but one player wont change our frailties at set. Our lack of organisation and focus have nothing to do with height.

'Better than nothing' sums it up I think.
Pretty much how I feel about him to.

[hymppi]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/09/01/2080.ap.soc.arsenal.mertesacker.0128/index.html?

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) -Arsenal signing Per Mertesacker says he has been drawn to the club for over 10 years, ever since he went to England as a teenager to visit an aunt.
Germany defender Mertesacker says Thursday he remembers returning with an Arsenal jersey, while his brother had that of Premier League rival Manchester United.
Mertesacker says, "Somehow a circle has closed for me. I'm very happy to finally be able to play for the club I've romanticized about for years.''
The 26-year-old central defender completed a transfer from Werder Bremen on Wednesday for a reported ?10 million ($14.5 million).
Mertesacker - who has 75 caps for Germany - was speaking at a press conference ahead of Friday's 2012 European Championship qualifier against Austria.


so he is a gooner!

[Super Ghel]

http://s1.proxy05.twitpic.com/photos/large/386552127.jpg

[LDG]

:haha:

[LDG]

Six foot six! He's fucking six foot siiiiiixxx
Per Mertesacker
Eats his weetabix!

[Letters]

http://s1.proxy05.twitpic.com/photos/large/386552127.jpg

:haha:

[Master Splinter]

'You can't afford to concede set-pieces'

The importance of set-pieces in football is the driving force behind Per Mertesacker's excellent disciplinary record.

The Arsenal defender has received just one yellow card in 16 appearances for his new club and had an even better record at Werder Bremen with a solitary booking in his last 67 Bundesliga games.

That impressive record is no accident, according to the Germany international.

"Set-pieces are very dangerous in the modern game," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

"They can make the difference in the game and therefore you have to defend your goal the best way you can, and that's my way. You have to be patient.

"You are always looking for the ball, that is the main thing for me. You want to win it and that's the main reason [for my record]."


http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-you-can-t-afford-to-concede-set-pieces-


http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/images/oct_11/gun__1318842100_mertesacker1.jpg


Mertesacker :bow:.

Loving the efficiency of this German.

Typical German tbf.

Much like Koscielny, he's a clean tackler. Shows that you don't always need GHELlish brutes in this League.

[Dog Toffee]

He's a walking accident, but he must be doing something right as we're better defensively recently.

[Fist of Lehmann]

I've never been impressed with him before. He's got a mistake in him and hes neither vocal nor a leader. I suppose his height will come in handy but one player wont change our frailties at set. Our lack of organisation and focus have nothing to do with height.

'Better than nothing' sums it up I think.As it transpires, not entirely true. Apparently RvP's captaincy is ably assisted in the dressing room by Permasacker. Which is no less than you'd expect from an enormous, seasoned, German international defender.

He is also much worse at winning headers than you'd expect, but his unflappable attitude and decent reading of the game mean that he has been a definite asset, particularly during Vermaelen's early absence, and our current fullback holocaust (am I allowed to say that?).

I know I said that he was better than nothing, but he is proving himself to be a good deal better than nothing. I can admit that now because I am a big man.

[Marc Overmars]

His languid style always scares the shit out of me but he's undoubtedly a good centre back.

[Cripps_orig]

Has been excellent. Couple of dodgy moments as you'd expect but on the whole, hes been a success. Long may it continue.

[Kano]

It's no coincidence that since Merts arrival, the defence has looked far more composed and less likely to flap around in panic after scoring/near the end of the games.

Read somewhere that the defence now practices separately from the rest of the team under the guidance of Rice which also seems to have helped the overall cohesiveness of the back 5.

[Niall_Quinn]

TV, Merts, Kos and even JD, this is a much tighter defence than we've seen in years. Wenger paid the £10mill for Kos and only £3mill for Squid (what a waste of money), so it does indicate he had a clue about what he was looking for. Then he pays £10mill for Merts. Contrary to all expectation it looks like he's got it about right. At worst we can say we have a lot less screw-ups in the bank for the coming season, we hope. JD fell off a cliff last year, maybe the presence of TV and the added experience of Merts will prevent something similar happening this time around. As usual, fingers crossed on the injury situation, it could all change fast.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Expect Cahill will go to Chelsea now, maybe Gartside did us a favour in the end.

And Cahill, teaching us the value of selling on a player whose head's been turned.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Expect Cahill will go to Chelsea now, maybe Gartside did us a favour in the end.

And Cahill, teaching us the value of selling on a player whose head's been turned.

Too right, he has not been worth the 20 mill they was looking for and he was not before either.

[selassie]

He's had some good games and a few mares. His reading of the game is very good as is his tackling but there's definitely room for improvement. I like him though, I think once he builds up a bit more confidence and fully adjusts to the physical side of the game he will be a very good signing.

[Niall_Quinn]

If he does a Kos we're quids in and laughing.

[Master Splinter]

If he does a Kos we're quids in and laughing.

Always knew it was all about the money with you.

[Niall_Quinn]

Always knew it was all about the money with you.

Just think how much we can make in the summer window if this lot keep playing well - yummy!

[tigerthesmurf85]

Sell Squillaci. Sign someone good. Then we'll have 4 good centre backs and Djourou.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Big fucking German.
We've got a big fucking German.
Big fucking Gerrrrman.
We've got a big fucking German.

Cracked me up.

Anyway, he has been very good so far, despite what the media seem to think (Hi Hansen) - underrated ability go get away with cynical fouls too. :bow:

[Letters]

He's a bit slow but makes up for it with his German efficiency.

Row Z :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Big fucking German.
We've got a big fucking German.
Big fucking Gerrrrman.
We've got a big fucking German.

Cracked me up.

Anyway, he has been very good so far, despite what the media seem to think (Hi Hansen) - underrated ability go get away with cynical fouls too. :bow:

Bullying Suarez. :bow:

[Syn]

Hes good. But Vermaelen has come back amazingly this season. I'd say Mertesacker is the worst out of the three main central defenders we have, but maybe the most crucial. Tricky one because Kos is the best and Vermaelen's captain. 3 good CBs though. As we've always said, individual defenders are good but organisation was shit. Hopefully we're sorting that out. Looks good so far.

[GP]

It's not just the back 4 either. The whole team has been defending as a unit. Against Pool, Podolski spent as much time at left back as he did up front.

Impressed so far.

[Syn]

Podolski knows the score.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

there was a stat which said something along the lines of when we play BFG and verm together we let in half the amount of goals compared to when we pair verm and kos together.

looks like we know who 3rd choice is

[Marc Overmars]

Podolski is our Kuyt. Only 10x more talented.

I would keep things as they are at the back for now, it's settled (for a change) and there's no need to potentially disrupt that. Kos is a great player to have in reserve but I think I prefer our CB partnership to be Merts + 1, and that 1 has to be Vermaelen because he's got the armband.

[Syn]

I reckon Kos-Mert would be the best partnership but Verm adds a few goals at the other end which outweighs the number he might concede. He's captain anyway so he can't be removed. It's a brainfuck until one of the three get injured. And then it's just fuck when another one gets injured and Djourou is in. Because we do not have Song who can also stone there.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

good dilemma to have.

3 decent centre backs fighting for 2 places.

djourou washing their boots.

everyone wins

[Marc Overmars]

It's a nice problem to have, at least.

[Kano]

always said the merts should be first choice to anchor the defence. only seen one game but by the sounds of things his presence seems to be making the difference.

with a defence that sits a little deeper, it draws back everyone in front of them and creates a better shape.

everyone is obsessed with pace and being fast. it really is not the decisive factor. it helps of course but you can still be a great defender without it.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Podolski is our Kuyt. Only 10x more talented.


:gp:

He was annoyingly good on Sunday. Along with Corzola, Diaby and Arteta.

You were never really threatened, bar maybe the Suarez thing and the tackle on Sterling was just perfectly timed.

You can never have enough Germans!

[Letters]

8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.
:lol:

[GP]

:lol:

Derp

[fakeyank]

Kos will be useful next season when our captain leaves for Madrid or City..

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

always said the merts should be first choice to anchor the defence. only seen one game but by the sounds of things his presence seems to be making the difference.

with a defence that sits a little deeper, it draws back everyone in front of them and creates a better shape.

everyone is obsessed with pace and being fast. it really is not the decisive factor. it helps of course but you can still be a great defender without it.

the only positive i can find of not replacing song is the positive impact it can have on the defence.

when you play a DM the other midfielders instantly assume they can bomb forward and the DM will stay back to take care of opposition attacks. its a psychological mindset triggered by having a player like song in the team. without a DM the whole team defends as a unit and all the midfielders do their part.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

:lol:

:haha:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

there was a stat which said something along the lines of when we play BFG and verm together we let in half the amount of goals compared to when we pair verm and kos together.

looks like we know who 3rd choice is

Kos is our best defender so proved to be last season, it would be silly to say he is 3rd choice. what i will say for the 1st time in a long time if one gers injured we know we have a good defender who can come in and replace them.

[Cripps_orig]

This guy is awesome

Has impressed me through out the last 6 years

Certainly Verms best partner for sure which i said time and time again last season and now its being proven

[Boss]

Didn't think he'd fit in so well.

Should swap between him/Kos depending on the team we play, how they attack (aerial threat or on the ground) and so on.

[I_Killed_Kenny]

i thought the prem pace would kill him but he has been pretty decent so far. gives us a choice of type of CB pairing now which is great.

[LDG]

Played well so far, and in the prem he'll do alright this year. Definitely benefiting from us playing a deeper line, with Verms staying in position.

Koscielny is the option in Europe, and against the best sides in the prem. Nowt to do with quality, but all to do with speed. Against the better teams, you need recorvery pace, and the ability to turn / step in quickly.

[Xhaka Can’t]

A key contribution to his effectiveness is Verm remaining in position. I think Vetm will however be able to have a freer role playing alongside Kos.

It really is nice to have options in central defence for a change.

Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk 2

[Seymour Butts]

Can always have a back line including Kos and Mertsacker by playing Kos at right back in place of the injured Sagna. I believe he started out as a right back??

[LDG]

Jenko deserves to stay there now though. He's been excellent thus far.

[Seymour Butts]

Jenko deserves to stay there now though. He's been excellent thus far.

Agreed he has been very impressive - think the defence as a whole has done very well. Thats no coincidence with bould coming in which kind of makes me wonder why this was not done before.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Thats no coincidence with bould coming in which kind of makes me wonder why this was not done before.

That's is the question. Saying that its not only the defence who have defended well its been the team as a whole.

So yeah Bould has done what rice could not do and got he team defending as a unit. its good to know we have replacements for the defence if 1st choice's get injured, maybe Lb is a concern though.

[GP]

Jenko deserves to stay there now though. He's been excellent thus far.

Yeah I've been impressed with GHELkers.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:bow:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c4/TheBFG.jpg/200px-TheBFG.jpg

Post match with Cazorla.

[Master Splinter]

Big Fucking German :bow:.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Big Fucking German :bow:.

:gp:

[Bergkampwonderland10]

I love that Big Friendly German :cloud9:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.

Let's hope the signings get better from here.......


Oh feck off with your moaning the guy is what we needed who else would we sign in the short space of time.
you have said we won't win anything so we have nothing to loose singing this guy then.


F*ck off everything I've ever posted about him has mentioned how sh*t he is going back years.

You don't like it...tough luck.


How can he be shit when he has played 75 times for Germany, germany are not england you have to be good the get in their side.

Just because he don't play for bayern or real ffs. Cahill is not worth more then 16 mill they were asking for.


Easily, Germany lack quality defenders.

Remember him in 2006 the German defence was a shambles the CB partnership was the problem.

It's not the fact he doesn't play for a top club, it's the fact I've seen him and never been impressed, some of the other players we've been linked with are more promising (even this Santos bloke) but this guy gets a big thumbs down from me.


We've signed a world class centre half, wow this is exciting who is he?


Mertersacker is anything but world class.


Delighted with this signing. Brilliant CB whenever I've seen him and has performed at the highest level where he was awesome at the last 2 World Cups.

Well.....

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Awesome signing.

Anyone who knows their football will be delighted.


I can't understand the instant dismissal of an experienced tactically aware international defender who is an automatic choice in the German national team. This is IMHO the type of signing we have been crying out for! My only complaint is that this should have been done pretty much as soon as the transfer window opened.

:gp:

[Joker]

I still don't think he's world class. He's done very well this season, definitely, but I wouldn't put him in the same bracket as Kompany, Vidic etc.

[Cripps_orig]

Considering hes been doing it on the biggest stage for longer than either of them, i'd understand if people put him on that level

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I love that Big Friendly German :cloud9:

That is what those nice chaps sing.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Considering hes been doing it on the biggest stage for longer than either of them, i'd understand if people put him on that level

Are you new here?

[Cripps_orig]

Are you new here?

Yes

[Power n Glory]

He's a good player and I'm glad he got the plaudits today. Solid defender.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Better than nothing I suppose.

Agree. Quite a lot better than nothing.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal legend :bow:

[Master Splinter]

BFG :bow:.

If you don't love this man, you're dead inside.

Our German contingent are awlsome.

Draxler and Bender in January?

[JonasTC]

:bow:

[Cripps_orig]

BFG :bow:.

If you don't love this man, you're dead inside.

Our German contingent are awlsome.

Draxler and Bender in January?
This

Pod :bow:

Mert :bow:

Ozil :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Great defender, and faster than people think.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Debt collector and transfer negotiator. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10284922/Mesut-Ozils-42m-move-to-Arsenal-sealed-with-one-phone-call-from-manager-Arsene-Wenger.html


Conversations with Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski followed, leaving Özil convinced.

Mert :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Love this big bastard.

Is there a better reader of the game in the league at the moment?

Those interceptions. :cloud9:

[Munchies]

Happy BDAY BFG :bow:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BVUdftQCYAEc1K9.jpg

[selassie]

He's a very good defender, if he had pace he would be amongst the top 5 in the World IMHO. I like him though, he's really grown in his role and has become one of the leaders of the team.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

If he had pace it's possible it would come to the detriment of his overall reading of the game; he might be relying on that to bail him out. Very clean defender in the way he tackles, Kompany's reading is damn good but he's also a lot more aggressive in how he tackles (and probably why he picks up more injuries).

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Took him a while to get used to the league and it didn't help that he arrived when we had our worst team under Wenger, but now he's completely settled he's an absolute beast. The cog in our team.

[Munchies]

Need to get him a new contract aswell before Bayern come in for him.

[Power n Glory]

He's the commander at the back we've been looking for.

[AFC Leveller]

Great reading of the game and a great pesence. Never hides or neglects his duties.

[Munchies]

Goal.com say we've started talks on a new 3-year deal for the BFG

[Master Splinter]

What do tribalfootball say?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a man. :bow:

[GP]

What do tribalfootball say?

What does the fox say?

[Penguin]

I fucking love Merts :bow:

[selassie]

BEAST

[Globalgunner]

Giant of a player in so many ways. Hope decides to retire from international football after Euro2016. Keep himself available for us till he retires

[The Emirates Gallactico]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/805x1000/nov_13/zp_20_BFG-1_2350.jpg


Fucking offer him a 5 year deal right now!!!




P.S - Didn't know Dortmund were sponsered by Puma. I quite like the neck/collar thing they have going on. Wouldn't mind seeing that next season for us.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

http://i.imgur.com/xoKAxU8.gif

:cloud9:

[Zerlathon]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/805x1000/nov_13/zp_20_BFG-1_2350.jpg


Fucking offer him a 5 year deal right now!!!




P.S - Didn't know Dortmund were sponsered by Puma. I quite like the neck/collar thing they have going on. Wouldn't mind seeing that next season for us.

BFG pre-denture treatment?

[JonasTC]

http://i.imgur.com/xoKAxU8.gif

:cloud9:

In the situation i was like "fuck!", Reus has scored a bunch of goals running towards goal like that and it was so anti climax when mert just took it from him like it was nothing :D

[milla]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/13/article-2505531-1962D24900000578-736_634x449.jpg

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2505531/Per-Mertesacker-models-Big-F----German-t-shirt.html

:lol:

[Marc Overmars]

:bow:

[GP]

Big Friendly German :bow:

[Marc Overmars]

Just ordered it. :lol:

Impulse buys. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He had a very good game again tonight, with different defenders around him during the match too.

[Marc Overmars]

The t-shirt arrived today. :bow:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Best player on the pitch tonight.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

Most improved player in the world?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Was crap when he first came although he was surrounded by crap.

He needed time to settle to the pace of the premier league especially as he lacked pace himself and it's a very fast league.

Now? Best centre half in the league.

Henry Winter's tweet tonight shows journalists are finally recognising his role and importance. Very good to see.

[Syn]

Most improved player in the world?

Nah...

http://gifti.me/i/Slj8z.gif

http://gifti.me/i/cUQXM4.gif

[Penguin]

Henry Winter's tweet tonight shows journalists are finally recognising his role and importance. Very good to see.

Whate did he tweet?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

‏@henrywinter:
eng 0 ger B 1. A few boos at the end. What England would give for such a commanding centre-half as Per Mertesacker.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He turns like an oil tanker though. :lol:

[milla]

He turns like an oil tanker though. :lol:

http://www.japanfocus.org/data/joiltanker.jpg

Not bad for an oil tanker. :coffee:

[Master Splinter]

Was crap when he first came although he was surrounded by crap.

He needed time to settle to the pace of the premier league especially as he lacked pace himself and it's a very fast league.

Now? Best centre half in the league.

Henry Winter's tweet tonight shows journalists are finally recognising his role and importance. Very good to see.

He was never crap. He was mostly steady, just not as commanding and effortless as he is now in a settled team and partnership. It doesn't help when Arsenal fans themselves contribute to false and cliche-ridden pre-set narratives about players. See also: Szczesny.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

He was fucking shite.

Couldn't read the game. Was way off the pace. Was hesitant making decisions.

Now turned it around.

[Marc Overmars]

He was never shite. :lol:

There's a reason it was always between Kos and Verm for the 2nd CB slot.

[Master Splinter]

Wenfet confirms talks have begun:

http://news.arseblog.com/2013/11/wenger-confirms-bfg-negotiations/

BFG :bow: :bow:.

[Power n Glory]

He was never shite. :lol:

There's a reason it was always between Kos and Verm for the 2nd CB slot.

He’s a very good defender and it was often overlooked because of his pace. He makes the others look good imo. Brings order to that defensive line.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Good to hear. Also need to get Sagan and Roz signed up AFAP.

[mastermind84]

He was fucking shite.

Couldn't read the game. Was way off the pace. Was hesitant making decisions.

Now turned it around.
none of this was true.
He was never shite. :lol:

There's a reason it was always between Kos and Verm for the 2nd CB slot.

exactly

[Master Splinter]

http://i.imgur.com/vQ3Scjb.gif

Fucking love the BFG.

[milla]

8.8 million f*ck me, of all the defenders we could have signed he's got to be one of the worst, well done Wenger.

:lol:

[milla]

6'6 and slow, sure we havenr just signed Gunnersarus?

:haha:

[JonasTC]

I fucking love this guy, his reaction to the penalty decision was awesome and show how much he loves being here and being a part of this. Plus i think he can stay on top level to his mid 30s, since his game is not based on speed/strength as alot of other defenders.

[Özim]

Before he came to Arsenal he had a race with snails. He lost.

[Özim]

He’s a very good defender and it was often overlooked because of his pace. He makes the others look good imo. Brings order to that defensive line.

He's done pretty well this season, not perfect by any means but has been very good.

[JonasTC]

Zimm just get over yourself, the guy will be reaching his 100th game for germany next year and depending on how long they will go in the world cup, he might be in the top5 over most capped players ever for germany by the end of next year, which is pretty amazing, considering the history of the german national team.

The guy keeps showing his doubters wrong, when will you stop disrespecting a guy that has legend material?

[Xhaka Can’t]

Mertesacker has been a superb signing.

If the best you can come up with is a lame joke and critique that he is "not perfect", other than admit you were wrong, the best thing you could do would be to shut up about him. For now at least.

Of course, with the season being long, no doubt at some point Merts will make a mistake with him not being perfect and all. Why not wait before posting so you can declare yourself right?.

[Penguin]

I feel bad for getting on his back last season. He did struggle a bit at first and I initially thought he wouldn't be able to handle the pace of the premier league and our high line defence system. Boy has he proved me and all of his doubters wrong. He, along with Koscielny, was instrumental in our run of results at the end of last season and in our start to this season. He's a fucking beast and probably my favourite player ATM.

BFG :bow:

[Özim]

I said he's not perfect and made a joke about his lack of pace, what the f*ck is wrong with you guys :lol:

Considering the level of jokes some people laugh at in this place that was pretty good!

[Xhaka Can’t]

No.

[Özim]

Then you haven't been looking at some of the sh*t people laugh at on here! I sometimes wonder if these are actually people on bots that are programmed to type and laugh at total rubbish.

[JonasTC]

Then you haven't been looking at some of the sh*t people laugh at on here! I sometimes wonder if these are actually people on bots that are programmed to type and laugh at total rubbish.

Like you? ##

[GP]

Like you? ##

:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

I feel bad for getting on his back last season. He did struggle a bit at first and I initially thought he wouldn't be able to handle the pace of the premier league and our high line defence system. Boy has he proved me and all of his doubters wrong. He, along with Koscielny, was instrumental in our run of results at the end of last season and in our start to this season. He's a fucking beast and probably my favourite player ATM.

BFG :bow:

You can't win anything without a solid centre back partnership.

Look at Sol and Toure. They were incredible.

We've finally found ours. Mertescielny. They can lead us to glory.

[Power n Glory]

He's done pretty well this season, not perfect by any means but has been very good.

He's the sort of player we've needed for a while. Intelligent and defends with positioning and reading danger over reacting and hoping pace will bail you out. The combination with Kos has worked well.

[mastermind84]

He's the sort of player we've needed for a while. Intelligent and defends with positioning and reading danger over reacting and hoping pace will bail you out. The combination with Kos has worked well.

he's also an organizer.

[Xhaka Can’t]

he's also an organizer.

I need one of those for Christmas.

[LDG]

Per Filofaxer :bow:

[GP]

He's big, he's tall, he's got height...

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Enough about his penis. What about Mertesacker?

[GP]

He's not perfect...

[Master Splinter]

Would he get into a North London XI ahead of Kaboul, Dawson, Chiriches and flavour-of-the-week Vertonghen though?

[GP]

North London XI:

Szczesny

Sagna
Dawson
Koscielny
Gibbs

Ramsey
Ozil
Cazorla
Arteta
Wilshere

Soldado.

[Master Splinter]

Hard to disagree.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

http://gifs.gifbin.com/032011/1300124491_pool-diving-fail.gif