Arsenal Defender Responds To Move Reports

Despite the transfer window being closed there is still plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Per Mertesacker commits his future to Arsenal.

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has dismissed reports suggesting he could return to the Bundesliga this summer after committing his future to the Emirates, according to the Independent.

Mertesacker, who’s been affectionately nicknamed as the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) by some sections of the Emirates faithful, moved to Arsenal from Werder Bremen in 2011 but has endured a mixed time during his time here.

His lack of pace has been exposed on more than one occasion and at times he’s looked uncomfortable with Arsenal’s high defensive line, but he’s always remained a first choice in Arsene Wenger’s starting eleven due to his excellent positional sense and aerial ability.

Reports earlier this week had suggested the 6 foot 6inch defender was being touted for a possible return to Germany this summer with Wolfsburg said to be interested, but Mertesacker has dismissed the rumours insisting he wants to remain at Arsenal for the remainder of his contract.

 “It is strange for me. I am playing all the time, getting positive feedback from my coach, but for some time now I am being told I should leave as quickly as possible. Maybe it is because our fans love me too much.”

“It is a tough situation. I get calls from people who say: ‘Are we moving?’. If there is speculation in England then that is picked up in Germany quickly and I think it is a shame. It’s all about quick news.

“I have two more years there and I am eager to reinforce the respect I have earned at club and with the coach,” Mertesacker is quoted as saying by the Independent

I’ve always been a fan of Mertesacker’s and feel he gets a bad press simply because he looks cumbersome on the pitch. Sure, he’s not blessed with pace but he’s an excellent reader of the game and you don’t get 86 caps for Germany if your a bad defender. I think he’s being played in a system that doesn’t suit him and we offer little protection from midfield, so even the very best defenders could look ordinary in Arsenal’s defence at times.

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But the two recent clean sheets have given us encouragement that the team are defending better as a unit and it’s no surprise to see the BFG performing well against Bayern and Swansea. I’m glad he wants to stay, I just hope we can continue to improve our defensive shape to compliment Mertesacker instead of exposing him.

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