Per Mertesacker has played down speculation linking him with former clubs Hannover and Werder Bremen and insists his top priority is securing a new deal at Arsenal.
The World Cup winner is yet to play a competitive game for the Gunners since being confirmed as club captain after injuring knee ligament damage in pre-season.
In his absence, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny have impressed as a defensive partnership which, combined with the back-up provided by new boy Rob Holding and Gabriel, has led to suggestions that Mertesacker’s days at the Emirates could be numbered.
“A renewal with Arsenal is my absolute priority,” the BFG told Spox when reflecting on the situation.
“But we have not made an appointment yet to discuss a new deal. Arsenal are my top priority and everything else is just speculation.”
Mertesacker’s current deal ends this summer, meaning he could talk to interested foreign suitors as soon as January.
The German also lavished praise on boss Arsene Wenger, claiming the Frenchman deserves respect having completed 20-years in charge at Arsenal.
“Wenger should be immune to any public criticism. He has been at Arsenal for 20 years, helping the club develop step by step,” he added.
“Where else do you still see this? You should look at the bigger picture and he deserves nothing but respect.
“The media are too quick to criticise in my opinion. It is all about results. One day they are celebrating a big win over Ludogorets and then three days later there is criticism after a draw with Middlesbrough.
“How much will the team, the coach and the club have changed during these three days to merit such a different opinion?”
Our media love bashing Arsenal. Pep draws to Celtic, Everton and Southampton, and loses to Tottenham and Barca, yet nothing. If that was Wenger, we’d have the entire Sky Sports punditry team out discussing, all of the MOTD staff dissecting every result, and The Sun, Mirror and Daily Mirror printing back page articles with “Wenger out” or “Time for a change”.
Fucking cunts. Fuck them all.
Our injury record teach us to have a deep squad. We must sign Per.
What the f*** are you talking about? Is MC not at the top of the league? Is this not Pep’s first season? We drew to Leicester and Boro, is that so much better than drawing to Everton or Southampton which we haven’t even played yet?
I know you love Wenger and all but remember what he says, judge him in May.
Without wenger we would have been boro everton southampton or even aston villa never forget that. And the media thing is true they have been on our collective asses since “Wenger who”.
And pep have unlimited sheikh money.
Would be good to see Per stay, he is a class act.
Don’t think he’ll get much playing time though, with Kos, Mustafi, Gabriel and Holding around.
Think I’d still have him ahead of Gabriel and Holding in the pecking order tbh.
Before Gabriel yes but would rather like to see Holding get a proper chance. Per can maybe stay for one more season in a senior/mentor role. Chambers seems to have played pretty well at Boro too.
Seriously, I don’t know why you use “thin I still” cuz
that suggesting that’s your own refelction.
Like it or hate it, but Per is world champion. He know the game. He is the guy. Both Holding and Gabriel are unproven compere to him. He is literally the best 3’rd choice you can get.
If Arsene really wanted him he would not have waited until there is only 6 month left on his contact.
Just look at Sanchez and Ozil… two years left and we’re already trying to tie them down for life.
Or Mertesackers priorities are so clear, that there is no rush. Employers do this all the time. Solve the solveable at a convenient time.
Ozil & Sanchez contracts can not be compared to that of Mertersackers, the former are world class players in their prime years, with top clubs wanting to sign them, for Arsenal to tie them down to long contracts shows real ambition, top players are very hard to replace. Although I love Mertersacker, he is certainly not irreplaceable.
It is always good to have a wizened, respectful, veteran leader who understands what it means to have collective strength and a willingness to take on the role they are asked to when called upon. Mertesacker is a total class act, vital mentor, and consummate professional.
He could take the role Keown did with the invisibles
*invincibles
Having an entire invisible team would be rather hilarious though.
Bet they’d go undefeated too.
Imagine an invisible Ozil. Oh, wait.
( I mean that in a good way )
( e.g. loses defenders and ghosts into space etc etc )
Love this guy. Always a true pro. Will always remember when he dragged and shouted at ozil to applaud the fans after and away game.
Might not be a particularly key member of the playing squad but will be a brilliant player to have in the dressing room, and young players coming through can learn from his experience
Always done a job for us, truly loves the club. Despite the criticism, for me, he’s the guy who began to pull us out of the ‘banter era’…
Also the player that pops into my head when I imagine Arsenal…
If the BFG is happy to stay in the knowledge that he is not 1st choice then bring it on…..couldn’t think of a better back up and mentor to our young guns…..who better to bring on in the last 5 mins when we are defending a lead and the opposition are peppering us with long balls into the box!!
More worried about Cazorla’s contract. Can’t lose him he’s our best central midfielder.
Don’t fret! It has been reported that Arsenal have an option for a 1 year extension on Santi’s contract.
Fucking legend. Sign him up!
He’s a great asset to the team with great leadership qualities. I hope they give him a contract!
I love you BFG. Gunner and a Gooner and a respectful class act to boot!
This guy oozes genuine class. He respects the club and the manager and always always defends the dignity of the club. On top of that he is quite articulate and you get the sense that he thinks about what he says. I love him.
I’m sorry but we just don’t need him anymore. Our game is now dependant on pacy defenders. I’ve got no problem with Per sticking around if he can accept being 4th or 5th choice CB, but Rob Holding is clearly the better option and his game time is already limited as it is without Per getting games ahead of him. We need to concentrate on the development of young players.
I’m gonna need an explanation from anyone who disagrees. Come on, we’re all adults here, stop hiding behind a thumbs down. How does it make any kind of sense to stall the development of a great up and coming defender so that we can accommodate a slow 33 year old coming to the end of his career. Let’s hear it experts.
I just don’t think it’s a good idea to fill the first eleven with up and comings. We did that before and it didn’t work out. I’d much rather have a good balance of young and experienced players, as currently the case. As Wenger puts it, this squad has the maturity. And I wouldn’t agree that our game is dependant on pacy defenders. It might be based on ball playing CBs but one of them usually hangs back anyhow. Per’s super experienced, reads the game better than most of our defenders and has the necessary height to deal with crosses… Read more »
(Never mind the missing words. They’re somewhere in the BFG’s pocket.)