Arsene Wenger says that Per Mertesacker’s contract is a situation which hasn’t yet been dealt with, but that the club will sit down with the captain at some point to discuss the future.
The BFG’s current deal runs out at the end of this season, and after buying two central defenders this summer – Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi – it’s a crowded part of the squad.
As well as having Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel available, Calum Chambers has been loaned to Middlesbrough.
“At the moment we have not dealt with that situation,” said Wenger when pressed on the 31 year-old’s contract.
Asked if his injury was playing a part in that, he continued, “Not especially, of course he still has to come back, but we go year by year with Per.
“We’ll sit down together at some stage when he’s back in training.”
Mertesacker is currently out of action with a knee injury sustained in pre-season, but is taking the time between rehab sessions to finish off his debut novel which tells the story of a high-ranking German football official who discovers a way of kicking a football which makes long shots almost impossible to save.
Rather than keep it for Germany’s World Cup bids though, he decides to sell it to the highest bidder, forcing our hero, former central defender Fritz ‘Fritzy’ Fischer, to chase him around the wall in a specially designed helicopter (one that fits his really long legs).
It’s sort of like Jack Reacher meets Roald Dahl meets Bob Hemlock. That kinda thing.
It may be that we never see him again, if he doesn’t get back into top shape. Which would be a shame as I like him a lot.
I would read the fritz out of that
Love the guy but it’s about time the club think about replacing him.
Dude – harsh
Harsh as it may be the kinda already have. Hope to see him back fit but kinda hope more that Mustafi and Holding develop to a point that he doesn’t get a look in.
*they already have
You must consider that Mert’s Fifa pace stat has now dropped below 30. He is utterly superb positionally, covers a fourth of the width of the field with his pinpoint long leg tackling, and is composed even when things get froggy but that is not enough. And the fact that he is a great leader and generally awesome role-model doesn’t make up for that pace stat… Mert is getting old and senile, I don’t see how the board have faith in him anymore. Sack our Mert! BFG aaaaaht!
For those robots that struggle to identify sarcasm: sarcasm…
For those robots that have to explain their sarcasm: Thy better next time.
Replace him? What like we can just get another German international defender who is intelligent, passes well from the back, a leader, and with unique dancing skills?? You Mustafi been joking.
I say we reward his loyalty during the tough years with a one year rolling contract with an option to extend. I see him as an ideal mentor for Holding and Chambers. Let’s not wipe out the experience we have built up at the moment so soon
Likelihood is that he will be let go come end of the season…. That is however dependent on others. If Gabriel has a stinker and Chambers is tripe on loan then you never know..
Think its fair to say his future is out of his hands…
All the best Per.
Interesting how u just threw Roald Dahl in there
Not really. Big Fuckin Gooner
I hope Wenger do what is best for the club and dont just give him a new contract based off of personal affection rather than what is the best course of action for the club.
Its not like it will be difficult for Arsenal players to find a new club so letting players go is not the same as putting them out on the street to beg for meals which seems to be what Wenger often is thinking 😛
It’s not like per has relied on pace throughout his time with us. I guess a lot of it will come down to general mobility once he’s back in training.
My opinion would be to give home another year for what it’s worth.
I think if he is happy to not be playing too much we should keep him as a solid backup option and mentor for Holding and Chambers, not like we are going to be able to replace him with another world cup winner to sit on the bench. I think this season is a big one for Gabriel who may need/want to leave if he cannot break into the first team
He may very well want to go to his home club, or the mls where he would still be amazing at his age playing every day.
Oh Arseblog, your grammer, tut tut. Koscielny and Gabriel have not been loaned to Middlesbrough!
Clarified, thanks 😉
Is your grammar ill? I hope she gets better soon.
On other note, did Simoene really declined to renew his contract?
It finishes in 2018 instead of 2020. Wants to see them into their new stadium and through the transfer ban
Ild love him. The contrast in the desire between our players and theirs, willingness to work as a team, tactics……
Too bad then that he prefers his next job to be in Serie A then……..
Whenever Arsene stops being the Arsenal manager, the Board will want to replace him with someone who: (1) shares the club’s values (2) is happy to work within the existing financial model (3) believes in playing attacking attractive football (4) has a proven track record as a top manager (5) believes in giving young players a chance As far as I am aware, there is no reason to believe that Diego Simeone (or however you spell his name) would meet all of those criteria, so I suspect that the media & pundits are betting on the wrong horse, so to… Read more »
The only point which Simeone doesn’t meet from those criteria is no. 3; he plays a more counter-attacking football. However this is a very important point as Arsenal has the attacking football tradition and players to do that. He’s a top manager no doubt but the style is not the right one for us.
Good he isn’t good enough
There are soo many contracts which run out in 2018. A bit scary. Ozil Sanchez Ramsey Oxlade Gibbs. Not sure why ?
i noticed that too. we’ve yet to see lot of players contract being renewed and many of them are linked with leaving the club. its probably because we’ve such a big squad now that many of our players are not getting enoght playing time .
I like the idea of Per scribbling away his literary ideas in an old battered leather notebook.
“He’s got a big fancy journal! A big fancy jooourrrnnaaall! He’s got a big fancy journal!” ringing out from the stands
Those saying Per should go are the real emotional ones. We need to take stock of things calm and collected. Firstly we need to make sure Mustafi truly settles. PLUS Gabriel as much as people keep banging on about pace, has to improve. Holding is also still young so we need to measure his progress (if he gets opportunity) ditto weigh against Calum (if he is adapting to CBack). Lastly Koscielny himself isn’t young. If he gets a sustained knock, it may be useful to keep Per for another season to bridge. And all things said, Per has been instrumental… Read more »
Fuck you for bringing up one of the greatest premises for a novel ever, only in jest.
I love per
If he recovers Per stays if not he can coach. Good influence and its not like he’s lost his pace.
…and Cavani scored 4 in the first half in French League. Now they really Caen’t defend.
One yr rolling depending on how Gabriel and Holding progress, makes sense. What a great signing he has been though, he’s got his faults bit then defending the 18 yard line he’s incredible, excellent reader and an accomplished passer
I think gabby is more likely to leave as he doesn’t seem to be cutting the mustard!!!
What a player this man is. He gets into good shooting positions outside the box but he does seem to lack power in his shots. Once he mixes power with his excellent placement I’m sure he’ll be able to be a real goalscorer for us.
May have commented on the wrong article! Haha.