Arsene Wenger believes that German international Per Mertesacker is growing in stature game-by-game as he comes to terms with the pace of life in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been praised for his no-nonsense approach to defending since arriving in August and cut a consistent figure in a side which has had to cope with injuries to Thomas Vermaelen, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscileny and Sebastien Squillaci.
Despite the challenging circumstances, and having admitted recently that he has yet to fully settle in London, the player still appears to have impressed his new coach.
“I think he’s a player who is strong in every game, he is a calming influence and reads the game well,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“He plays it simple and is slowly growing in stature in the team. He is adjusting to the pace of the game, that was the big change for him.
“Overall I am happy with him. I think we will see him getting stronger and stronger now.”
It was a good news to see our injured players coming back to full training, and i also believe that, Per the fantastic defender is now coping up with life in london and i’m sure when thomas come back, they will be a force to reckon with. They will give us more comfort in the defence.
[…] was the possible return of Bendtner, how Chamberlain ain’t ready, no shit Sherlock, and the Mertesacker being a calming influence. Not sure if I agree with the last article though. But the most constructive news has to be that […]
A lot of people seem to complain about the BFG, but we’d be screwed without him! He’s probably the 2nd name on the teamsheet at the mo after SZCZ – it’s nice to have a little bit of consistency. Let’s hope the Verm can come back and stay fit for a period of time, he and the BFG could make a really strong central pairing.
Now, about that right back position…
Here’s hoping his international team mates Schurrle and Geotze are on Wengers shopping list…..
if these kids keep up the progress they’ve made so far, they’ll be on pretty much anyone’s shopping list…
i love how per lumps it into row z at the first sign of trouble rather than tippy tapping it to song who then loses it etc etc
Per needs a settled partner beside him (hopefully Vermaelen) and we can then see how good he really is. You don’t get 75 caps for Gemrany by being shyte.