Per Mertesacker says his need to ‘rest and refuel’ during the Premier League season is a decisive factor in his decision to retire from international duty.
Eager to repay the faith shown in him by Arsene Wenger after his difficult first season in England, the German World Cup winner says he’s more motivated than ever to help the Gunners win more trophies after their FA Cup triumph last May.
Speaking to Arsenal Player during the Interlull, the club’s vice-captain spoke passionately about his relationship with Arsenal continues to evolve.
“I reflected and last season was very tough,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player. “This season won’t be less intense so I needed a chance to rest and refuel. I want to push forward with the club now to show I can still improve.
“I realised over the last few years that the club really needs me and that was a big motivation to win something with them and then with Germany. Now I’m really focused to do even more with Arsenal.
“There’s even more respect and support here than I expected when I signed. This club has topped everything and I’m really proud to be part of it, especially after learning more about the fans and its history.
“As vice-captain I feel more responsibility for my work here and I want to achieve more in my next three years with Arsenal. One chapter has closed and the other one has opened even more, that’s how it feels for me.”
Unconfirmed reports suggest the BFG has spent most of the current Interlull just sitting around being awesome. He’s also baked Mesut Ozil a really big get-well-soon cake, walked Mathieu Debuchy’s dogs, helped Olivier Giroud do his nails, proof read all of Aaron Ramsey’s tweets and made a life-size Mikel Arteta out of lego [hair model’s own].
Big Fuckin’ Gooner!
Oh man I want to make a life-size Mertesacker out of lego now. 27 isn’t too old to want to play with lego right? Right???
Nobody is too old to play with Legos. In fact, if we all had a bit more good times with Legos, the world would be a better place.
Don’t think there will be enough pieces in the world for that i’m afraid.
100 caps ✓, world cup ✓. Might as well let the younger German players develop while extending his own club career. Seems a sensible chap.
I suppose with international retirement comes a cheeky wee SAGA holiday to West Coates while the youngsters recover from their thrashing of San Marino?
Did he use real hair for the model of Arteta?
I think it was a good decision by Per and I wouldn’t be surprised if more players followed suit, due to the amount of club football they already have to play.
I love him
That life size Arteta must be Perfecto!
Forget his pace, but I respect so much of his defensive qualities amid the weaknesses. I don’t know if you have noticed, Per does not gather more than five yellow cards in an entire season. Whenever he gets one, it could be a refereeing fault. Or if it really was a bookable offence, you can see on his face how disappointed he is about his tackle. He usually tackles only when he is 100% sure that he can win the ball. Love his positioning too and how he disposes the speeding wingers and strikers with the ‘You shall not pass-esque’… Read more »
coz he is Su-Per-Man!
And I just checked, he has only picked up 17 yellow cards in his entire senior-level club career! And the maximum per season was for Werder Bremen in 2007-08. I don’t have to mention but ZERO red cards. Now which defender in the world who have won trophies including the world cup, FA cup and DFB Pokal can boast of such statistics?
Hummels and Lahm have the same record too quite common in Germany where tackling is an art rather than just hacking at players legs.
Actually Merty’s been sent off for us before, once. West Brom 1-2 Arsenal. Doesn’t change the fact he’s still so fucking awesome though.
Sometimes when I am having a crap day I just watch the BFG singing the podolski chant on YouTube and it brings a smile to my face.
The man spreads joy.
i do something similar, except with the dancing mertesacker .gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/Valinor/German%20NT/mertesackerdancegif.gif
Big Per must certainly be one of the nicest guys in football for the last 30 years. Proud to have him as an Arsenal-player…
Fucking international break.
Can’t wait till real football is back again.
BFG… howwa bot you influence the rest of the team into reflecting about the hardship of a long tough season and the benifits of taking a breather and refueling… That way they can all retire from their national teams and focus soley on Arsenal….
Arsenal players lets win the Premier league and Champions league first and then think about playing for your national teams…
He’s too slow.
😉
The most passionate palyer in our current squad.. I feel.
The reason Per is so amazing and passionate for Arsenal, is because he is a life long Gooner. He is one of us playing for Arsenal, obviously with a lot more talent! Tbh i like Arteta, but for me, all day long, Per should have been our captain. He is so passionate, and is not afraid to let the players know what he thinks, and he had a great personality it seems. So chuffed to have him at Arsenal.
Has*
Fantastic player and leader! Teach Kos to stay on his feet more 🙂
Per is one of my very favourite Gunners of all time. He’s a brilliant defender and a passionate leader on the field, and yet is one of the nicest and classiest gentlemen you’ll ever meet. I’m sure he’ll be our next captain after Arteta.
Now that the England team is mainly composed of Arsenal players, Arseblog could blog about internation games 😉
Also do you think that Jenkinson could be a terrific CB?
simply PER-fect!!
Totally off topic but a lot of people on here were slating our medical department for not noticing the özil had hurt his knee against chelsea. Well the guardian are now reporting that we told them on sunday he had a knee problem.
Also happy birthday tomas rosicky!!!
Off subject completely but how awesome Szczesny must of been against the Germans. Did not see the game but 29 shots at goal with 9 on target must of been a man of the match performance. I am surprised there is no news on this site linked to that performance. The world champions first defeat in 19 competitive games. Thwarted by our colossal pole. Thats one up the arse Herr Low
If you’re looking for Arsenal news, Ray Parlour has spoken about Wilshere in the England team:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/estonia-vs-england-ray-parlour-believes-roy-hodgson-is-wasting-jack-wilshere-by-playing-him-in-a-deep-midfield-role-9788982.html
We got a big fucking Pole. We got a big fucking Pole. Up the Arse!