Per Mertesacker says the plethora of personalities in the Arsenal dressing room means he has to tailor the way he delivers advice.
In the absence of Mikel Arteta, the German centre-back regularly captains Arsene Wenger’s starting lineups and is, alongside the likes of Mathieu Flamini and Petr Cech, a recognisable vocal presence on matchdays.
Coming in the same week it was revealed that the players held a private meeting to discuss their woes, the German stressed that communication is vital, both on and off the pitch and that he tries to treat everyone ‘the same but different’.
“I try to be at my best, be calm and give our players the best from myself but communicate as well and give good information,” the 31-year-old told Arsenal Player.
“That is what I need to do and that is my job. Everyone gives energy and everyone gives advice and needs to listen, including me.
“You have different characters. You won’t say the same to Laurent or Hector as what you say to Alexis. You have to put your words in a different way sometimes. You know now how people react to certain advice so I always try to adapt on that and give good information for their character.
“I don’t want to upset people and it is really good we have a lot of people who don’t take it personally – but if you put your words in a different way it may happen. I try to always be careful on that front because it is a sensitive topic.
“On the pitch you cannot handle that sometimes in the perfect manner, so it can be shouting or trying to give information. That is what I mean by treating everyone the same but a little different at times.
“Preparation is good but communication is vital and if you see something you need to tell you partner because that can make the difference at the end. We have a good group here but we still need to prove that we can be consistent to the end and play a major role in the Premier League.
“We can still learn and have experiences but the team spirit and how the team creates energy together is absolutely vital. If some things [are not] going your way, you need to try and find solutions and do the best you can as a team.”
*Big F*cking B*llockings
I’m sure they all look up to him.
Pun intended?
It was obviously coincidence.
Why, you Tractor boys can’t think that fast?
Nobody looks down to Alexis.
WENGER!!!!!!!!!!
Is anyone else a bit skeptical about all this? Maybe I’m over thinking it, but at a time when our season hits rock bottom and every pundit and his dog is criticising our lack of leadership, Theo tells a journo after a game, with no provocation at all, about a ‘secret’ meeting called by the senior players, and now the website is running features on how Per communicates to the team? I don’t necessarily buy into the lack of leadership criticism, but it does look a bit like our spin machine is just putting things out their to responsd to… Read more »
I was a little skeptical with Theo’s motives when he came out and said it – but skeptical of him personally, not the club. Now that it’s been picked up by Arsenal Player it does make you wonder…. but I suppose since Theo brought it up, and it’s been doing the rounds in the outside media, the fellas at Arsenal player are maybe just doing their jobs and giving us an inside line with the big man himself. Maybe put it down to a slow news day on the AFC front! Although in suggesting the meeting never happened you’re wandering… Read more »
The meeting never happened, the moon landing was faked by NASA, 9/11 was an inside job and we are all being ruled by an evil race of reptilian overlords! Did I miss anything?
Press can say what they want. Our winning round started after the draw with them lots. We are beating Watford (Sorry Reg)and continue winning all domestic games from now till the end. I’m confident on this one
Read Arsenal Gent … he got the transcript of the meeting …
Bad news about Azza but Owibi and The Jeff can be back ups to the Egyptian king.
Let’s tear Wat-for a new one and then march on Europe. Messi FC are probably too good but good rotation sees us in good nick for Everton. Let the good times roll. All good then. ”Whatever,” replies Theo.
The Arsenal Gent piece on this is hilarious….
Right, everyone knows we are more or less out of the champions league, we have a good chance of retaining the FA cup, this was possibly our best chance at winning the league in years, and it looks as though we won’t win it this season. What i want to know, is where Arsenal fans stand? After seeing that banner at the hull game.. My opinion is this, even if we win the FA cup and finish 2nd or wherever, I don’t want Wenger at the club next season if he will not strengthen were we need strengthening. I would… Read more »
Honestly Arsenal, it’s players, fans and manager talk too much and when it comes down to performances. They crumble like wild cards ?
I lolfully agree.
Is mertesacker preparing for a career in politics post football?
I haven’t watched the video, but when I read the quotes I was a little disappointed – you get the impression he might have went a little too easy on them. I was kinda hoping he was the one beating his chest and howling – maybe grabbing walcott by the ears, shaking his head back and forth while shouting SHOW ME YOUR ANGRY FACE
I think he made his point clear that he takes different personalities into account when speaking to them. That shows empathy, something that you always want from your leaders. The whole shouting and finger pointing thing (and grabbing by the ears I suppose) may have been the de facto approach to criticizing back in the day but in modern times there is a lot more emphasis on psychology. This is not due to a “softening” or what have you, it’s simply due to the fact that shouting will elicit different reactions depending on personality and context. The TL;DR version of… Read more »
Tony Adams did not find the need to choose his words to fit the personalities on the pitch. He famously castigated Dennis Bergkamp who ,although shocked ,pulled his socks up and dug in. If they weren’t doing it he let them know it big time. Incidentally, we achieved the Double that season!
Oh for another Big Tone to lead the team,he would not give a toss who he was bellowing and barking at…
“You’ve been shit, stop being shit, we will win”. How many ways are there to say that??
I thought this was going to be about Per getting special artwork on his Big Fucking Boots. Or an individual tattoo on each big flouncy buttock. Maybe “left” and “right” in roman script. Then he could instagram, snapchat or periscope it for us all. And include his dogs. He needs to learn more from the younger lads.
probably told them….. show some big fucking balls
Mertesackers pros like composure can be found in most world class cbs without the lack of pace, I like him but he IS a liability at times, multiple times in the season we concedede because he’s too slow and I’m sick of it, how he can be so arrogant and confident after all the times he let us down is beyond me.
How you can be stupid and supporting Arsenal still is beyond me
Extremely effective and important player.
All those numpties calling for a Gabriel-Koscielny partnership have no idea how footy works.
BC Per is slower, he tends to act as a stopper relying on good positioning.
This makes it easier to predict relative positoioning for either of Gabriel or Koscielny who sweep up in front of him.
When Gabriel and Koscielny play, they have a harder time syncing up as they are both more ‘mobile’.
Per’s experience and positioning has saved us countless times. Sadly 7amkickoff and some others tend to ignore these important interventions because they have other agendas.
Alas.
If you worry to much about upsetting people that to me shows weak leadership skills and indicates some guys in the squad are mentally fragile.
How come nobody’s told giroud to stop all those fucking ‘flicks-to-no-one’ he keeps doing..?