Per Mertesacker says Spain’s early World Cup exit is great news for Arsenal as it means Santi Cazorla will get a proper rest before he’s expected to report for pre-season training.
The little Spanish wizard didn’t feature in his country’s 5-1 defeat to Holland on Friday and only featured off the bench in last night’s defeat 2-0 against Chile; a result that sees the reigning champions playing a dead rubber tie with Australia in their final group game.
Quizzed about the shock exit in a press conference in Santo André, the BFG surprised reporters with his take on events:
“The first thing I thought about last night was that Santi Cazorla will get a longer break now and will be ready for pre-season.”
Given that Cazorla spent last summer at the Confederations Cup and was subsequently far from his best when he returned to London for the start of the season, you’ve got to say Per has a point.
Of course, this is assuming Santi’s sticking around; he did mention the other day that he was ignoring all speculation about his future until after the World Cup, but that’s come about somewhat quicker than might be expected.
Anyway, back to Per.
Currently on 99 caps for Germany, he’ll complete his century on Saturday when Joachim Loew’s side take on Ghana.
Joking that he made a disastrous debut back in 2004, he admitted that while he’s proud of his international career he’s more focused on helping his country proceed to the knockout stages in Brazil.
“I started my career as a right back in the first game and was substituted after 45 minutes. I never played there again.
“To play my 100th match is nice, however the focus is on getting past the groupstage as quick as possible.”
As usual, top stuff from the BFG. He really is an excellent human being.
___
*Translation by @SanBorussia
It was my first thought too. He’s thinking like a fan.
My second thought was that Koke and Co. won’t have the opportunity of stuffing Santi down an Atletico shirt during trophy parade
Why on Earth would anyone waste Per at Right-back?!
Obviously for his blistering pace. Not a good crosser though.
Captain Per. Make it Happen.
Mert at right back. Ahahahahahahaha. Oops. Ahahahahahaho. Will have to dig that video out.
If Wenger gets a class cb does that mean we can play bfg at right back
Banter banter
+1 for your name
BFG or bacon? Which do I love more? I can’t decide.
dude, bacon is really bad for you.
boooo
Internet jokes about bacon are getting REALLY old.
crack
Just when I thought it impossible to love you anymore Per. Would have loved to see him deployed as a right back, lumbering up and down the right flank like a berserk giraffe.
‘Berserk giraffe’, fantastic.
I expect he’ll see the bright side should Germany go out too.
BFG for Arsenal captain!
Per haps he has a point!
Excellent work.
Right, as Per usual.
I didn’t think it was possible to love this man more.
Carzola ain’t going nowhere. Just signed a new contract, remember? Arsene will not want to upturn the chemistry of the time, will he? Having said that, stranger things have happened in Arsenal before!
Give that man the armband.
A quick search on YouTube has left me found wanting…
I second the post above, the BFG has got to be captain next year surely. One of the first names down on the team sheet!
Uh, hope he cleared that with Santi before saying it…
The LAST thing Arsenal need is internal fuzz!
BFG at right back. Problem solved Arsene 😉
My current favorite player at Arsenal. The BFG is such a class player!
Bfg at right back. He’ll be sweating profusely when he make a 50m dash
Like seriously! Per u are realy someting
I was also happy at the final whistle, knowing Santi can now get a long rest.
I would love to see Per, Ozzy and Poldkadots lift the world cup. The confidence would be sky high for next season.
Top man thinking of the things that benefit the Arsenal even well concentrating on trying to win the World Cup with Germany. Definate captain material.
Love that photo
Our boys making us proud on and off the pitch.
And now for Ghana and the US to help our German players to get a nice rest too.
Just love him to bits!
Anyone know how Liverpool got on against Uraguay?
lost 2-1. gerrard cost england the game. sound familiar? after the ghana incident, i can’t wait to see the bitey racists sweet salty tears
Now Jack and Ox can get a good rest before pre-season. Let’s hope France and Germany go out soon too.
No everyone except france please 🙁
Good point but he has to make it even better. We have carzola in Spain.. how about Germany joining and then we have him, Ozil and Podolski. Much better if you ask me.
Nice to have the Ox and Cazorla back soon.
Hopeless England were even more rubbish than normal. Let’s hope the French go out soon too.
Then we can focus on the real football.
Liverpool vs Uraguay lol
Basically Liverpool vs Liverpool as Suarez is basically Uruguay (-Cavani)
Too many Scousers/ players who play play for Scouse teams in England team.
9 of 13 featured were Spouse related.
*Scouse
damn auto cue
Our BFG is just epic in every sense of the word. Per has definitely got to take the armband for the coming season, with Rambo being his deputy so he can learn from the best and become our captain in a few years time.
lets just leave ramsey play his football, shall we
I get the sense a player like Ramsey would relish the challenge and the responsibility and would drive him to further heights. Its no coincidence Gary Speed saw him as captain of Wales at the age of 20.
For now yes let him play his footy. For the future, I see him as potential captain material.
I am getting another inspiring tactical switch.
The last time round it was Pascal Cygan on the left and we were invincible. I will do the same and put Per on the right, yes!
Far better if Germany were to exit the World Cup early, don’t you think Per?
Well if he comes out with a spectacular series of own goals in their next match we’ll know where his loyalties really lie!
I hope our German trio wins the WC this time. With trophies from club and country in 2014 they’ll be very confident. That can impact positively on our season….
I’d like them to spend the whole world cup Xaving a word with players like Muller and Khedira about joining Arsenal, therefore the longer they’re in Brazil the better.
I Love BFG and want his babies. I’m 6 foot 10 so imagine the size of those little feckers
OK, then if I extend his logic it would be really great if Germany loses as soon as possible. In these tournaments I’m always torn between wanting the Arsenal players to do well (because I like them) or doing poorly so that they can be rested for games I truly care about. My brain tells me the latter but when I watch my heart seems to always root for the Gunners.
Santi signed a new contract in 2014.