Has Big Per Mertesacker got the potential to become an Arsenal legend?

TotalArsenal

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What a difference a season makes.

From the start I have been a big fan of Per Mertesacker, but it is fair to say that his first season in England, and for Arsenal, had ups and downs. He started to finally settle in around January this year, but then came that game on a dreadful pitch in Sunderland on 11th February, when he suffered ligament damage that kept him out for the rest of last season.

That injury was a big blow to Arsenal’s chances of winning something, as we were eliminated from two cup competitions – the CL (Milan) and FA cup (Sunderland) – in the space of a week.

In previous posts, I have already eulogised about Mertesacker’s ability to read the game so well, to be in the right position almost constantly, and to intercept the ball so easily with his long, Frankfurter legs.

Then there is his enthusiasm and camaraderie: he is a real team player and professional, and in my view a natural leader – who will end up being our captain rather sooner than later.

This season, the fans have finally warmed to the big fabulous German and his praises are being sung by more or less all the faithful and football critics alike.

But there is something else I have noticed about big Per recently, and this is the stuff that we, the supporters, value highest of all: he genuinely seems to care with all his heart.

To cure the dull feeling of no proper football during the seemingly endless interlull, I watched some of our recent games again. I especially enjoyed re-watching the game against ManCity, and also our goal-fest against the Saints. I knew that big Per had played very good games from a technical and tactical point of view, but whilst watching them again, I also noticed how he was totally involved in the game and lived every moment of it.

I recently read again a description of a character in ‘A Suitable Boy’ by Vikram Seth, which made me somehow think of our German Giant: ‘He was a man who had attained tolerance and calm without losing his zest’.

There is something very calm and disciplined, and even neat, about Per’s performances: these are all characteristics we easily associated with German (working) culture, and Mertesacker does not disappoint one iota in that respect.

But there is also a real beast in Per: not the mean, slayer, sort of beast, but more like a beast which is fuelled by the passion to win and get the very best out of himself. Per Mertesacker has a zest for football, a zest for winning, and he fully lives the game.

During the games against ManCity and Southampton, there were three moments for me that epitomised this zest for winning:

Firstly, early in the game against Southampton, big Per came forward for a corner. The ball ended up outside the box and when it was played back in, big Per was allowed a free header. He was a fair distance from the goal and the angle was not great, but he managed to get the ball on target, albeit not hard or placed enough to trouble the Saints’ keeper. He then ran back towards our box and after a few seconds he let out a primal scream, accompanied by a wild/crazy look, indicating great annoyance with himself for not making more of that chance. I loved that moment: it showed he really cared with his whole being.

Secondly, just after Koscielny had scored the equaliser, City attacked our box and big Per tried to prevent a corner. It was obvious he was not going to get that ball, and I think he knew; but he still flung his full body towards the by-line in a desperate attempt to not let the ball pass the line. For me, Per did this purely to set an example to the others: keep fighting for every ball – there is no place for complacency or to rest on our laurels! Once again, I loved that moment: that is exactly what a winning mentally is made of.

Then finally, there was the moment when Gervinho missed that late, late chance to steal all the three points against MC, when he freed himself up so cleverly, only to blast the ball over Hart’s goal. Mertesacker turned away with great disappointment because the ball did not go in. That was not only the disappointment of the player; it was also the disappointment of a fan – of somebody who really loves winning more than anything else.

And these are exactly the reasons I believe Big Per Mertesacker has great potential to grow into an Arsenal legend: he has got everything needed to gradually find an eternal place in our football hearts.

Total Arsenal.

63 thoughts on “Has Big Per Mertesacker got the potential to become an Arsenal legend?”

  • Another excellent post TA.

    Per is a fantastic player. He reads the game so well that his lack of pace is not realy an issue. He is also a winner, well he is German after all. With him at the back and Arteta patrolling the midfield there seems to be a tactical intelligence to our play that was missing before.

    All the relevant ingridients to a top side are coming together nicely. We can be gauranteed this, with people like Mertsacker in the side we will fight for every ball.

  • Excellent Post, again, TA 🙂

    Confession time: When I heard we had signed Big Per I was extremely underwhelmed! Then in his first few games I thought we had acquired a player who took longer to turn than a Greek with an urn, and who jumped with his toes on the ground.

    I remained very undecided throughout that first season. This season I am a convert to Per-ism. He still turns like a tanker, and he still soars into the air like an old lady in skirts, reminding me of one of our bloggers, but guess what? It does not matter.

    He reads the game so brilliantly he rarely needs to turn; and when attacking the ball in the air for corners at the opposition end he really can soar like an eagle, and with more luck, or a new per of glasses he could have scored a couple!!

    loved the article and now too I love our man Per!!! 🙂

  • Hi Terry 🙂

    Good call on Mertesacker and Arteta both having strong tactical intelligence. 🙂

    Hi RA 🙂

    ‘Soar like an eagle’ Nice one! 🙂

    Big Per’s shortcomings are likely to cost us a few goals this season, but like you said, he will make more than up for it.

  • TA,

    Per has all the credentials to become a legend.

    He even passes the ball like another legend, Tony Adams, in that they both look as if they are unbalanced and likely to topple over when standing on one foot and using the other to kick the ball.

    Have a close look next time!!! 🙂

  • HI RA, fully agreed. I thought about making a comparison with the big legend, but thought it was still too early. But there is definitely a similarity in walking and kicking the ball styles. 🙂

  • Must confess, I was a bit sceptical of our BFG when he arrived. Like Red Arse, i was underwhelmed with the purchase.

    I used to berth VLCC tankers at Coryton Essex and they had a smaller turning circle than the BFG, but somehow he makes up for it with his reading and anticipation.

    Our new fight and togetherness is refreshing to watch after a few lull years.

    The future is bright, the future is Red N White, the future is ARSENAL.

  • In honour of our Secret Agents!

    There was a geezer called Terry
    Known to his mates as the Merry
    When he played with his ball
    His wig was too small
    And it made him jump off the Ferry

    Glicster had a day trip to France
    To teach the froggies to dance
    They were gallic and stiff
    So he went home in a miff
    And got out his mirror to prance

    Glic sashayed down to old Reading
    He built a house, with a yard and a shed in
    It was meant for a cow
    But was so small that I vow
    The poor cow couldn’t get its head in.

    Interlull crazy!! 🙂

  • Redders, are you here or at the other place?

    Cant understand why more posters dont site jump like us. Its a most refreshing and exhilrating experience. You get 2 posts for the price of one, get to read a TA special every day, and can still enjoy the variety of the place as well.

  • Mert do well in his second year.. like Kos did..
    Jenkinson and Arteta also..
    I think that happen to Gervinho and Ox too..

    Just wonder what will happen to Cozorla next season..??

  • Terry,

    They seek me here they seek me there. Two great sites, two great Posts by two great authors. 🙂

    We are very spoilt!! 🙂

  • (Thierry) Henrychan: let’s just count our blessing that Cazorla does not seem to have any PL adjustment problems in his first season: the conductor has found his orchestra! 🙂

  • Of course not.. I mean what will happen to him next season if he is already so great.. hehe..

  • TA
    Well, you won’t be surprised to find me agreeing with you.
    I even agree that I do a lot of agreeing with the agreeable Redders, although he may disagree.

    I felt sorry for BFG coming in to that traumatised team that had just lost Cesc and Na$ri and been humiliated at Old Toilet.

    But after three or four games he started to show what he was about and I have been a big fan ever since. He brings something different to the CB role than either Koz or Verm. I have said before that he is our best footballing CB since David O’Leary and that remains my opinion today.

    Will he become a legend?

    That depends on three things:

    Luck (staying uninjured; the rest of the team performing well).
    Longevity (if he buggers off after a year – no chance – but if he stays for 5 – who knows?).
    Trophies (it’s hard to become a legend in a team that does not win silverware).

  • Sure.. All good wishes for him..

    What a genius eye of Wenger to bring him at only 16 mil.. And he played better than Garcia, Kagawa, Matta, Oscar or even Silva and Hazzard.. hehe..
    Am I over magnify..?? Hehe..

  • Rock the Cradle,

    Other than being much later in coming to an appreciation of Herr Per, I find myself agreeing with you, yet again. 🙂

    Your 3 dependencies are right on the money, and particularly so regarding longevity – oh, and trophy acquisition – and yet none of it works without a little glance of affection from Lady Luck. Oh, OK, all 3 are essential. 🙂

  • Terry once went to Greece,
    And there I understand
    He saw no end of lovely spots
    About that lovely land.

    He talks about these spots of Greece
    To TA and to me
    Yet spots of Greece upon my face
    He can’t abear to see!

    I cannot make it out at all—
    If ever on my gurn
    He sees the smallest Spot of Greece
    It gives him quite a turn!

    Henceforth, therefore—to please him – ughh!!
    These spots of Greece no more
    Shall be upon my ugly mug—
    Nor on my bum!! 🙂

    Well ———- poetic licence and all that good stuff. 🙂

  • Lumberglic is back !
    Yes, Stretch, we are indeed lucky to blog hop. With no disrespect to others, as all are fine in their own right and all deserve respect for the hard work of putting in a post, but today we have the two best, Total and Rocky, only an opinion, but I`m right ! hahaha
    Although Total is only correct on one point of this post, the second one. The first one. That primal scream wasn`t because he was pissed off with the header, it was because he realized that me and Stretch were around his house doing some Landscoping !.
    The third one. He was pissed off with Gerv because he had him down as the final part of a betting accumalator for the winning goal !.

    Thank you Redders. I must have arrived to be the subject of your fine poem ! hahaha

    I have done a few limericks, but unfortunately, they would get me banned !, Stretch could confirm this as I once emailed him a couple ! hahaha

    .

  • Henry – you are over-magnifying at all. It is a super-find by Monsieur Arsene and fingers crossed he will stay fit all or most of the season. 🙂

  • Hi Rocky 🙂

    Excellent points: luck, longevity, and trophies are all required to become a chicken legend. 😛

    On top of all of that he needs to be adored – for lack of a better word – and I am sure we both agree that he has the personality and fighting spirit to achieve just that. 🙂

    What if does not achieve trophies but still becomes adored by the fans? What would we call him then?

  • hahaha, lovely poetry today Redders. Strangly enough i have a rather unseemly boil on my face that wont seem to go away. Sign of been a witch or just an ugly git, in my case probably both.

    Cornwall, nahhh, i reckon your be ok with those limericks, with me an a couple of others anyway. hahahaha

    TA, one of my post seems to have disapeared. I was saying that VLCC is VCC’s handle on the more erotic sites of the interweb. Mine is “Terry Munchini”, i am convinced yours is Total Asscapades (dont try and deny it), Cornwalls is “Glic the Lick”, and Redders dosnt even bother changing, “Red Arse”, suits all his purposes. hahaha

  • Haha Terry

    Redders = Cul Rouge or Red District Arsy 🙂

    ‘Total Asscapades’: very creative! 🙂 I still deny it though! 😛

  • hahaha, nice one Cornwall. Paul Kaye makes a rather fetching Tranny.

    ime a bit concerned. i sent a post to ArsenalNuts and been told that it will be published this week but i ve realised that its about, well its about nothing. So basicaly, its about nothing., And therefore there is nothing to discuss. What happens when there is nothing to discuss? do people just not reply, or do they reply with “and yeah, the point is?” Guess we will find out. hahaha

  • That was Paul Kaye ?, bollix, the geezer under the arch told me it was Mrs Wenger ! hahaha
    Stretch, so it`s not the long awaited Mancini Files !.

  • I hope so TA. If its ok with you i might have to hide on Bergkampesque untill Redders finds it. hahaha

  • Cornwall, whos that other geezer? is it that bloke from little britain, you know the gay one? hahaha

  • GLiC, Terry, Have a look at Invinciblog: the most recent post is right up your street! See ‘blogroll’ at the right hand side of Bergkampesque to find a link. 🙂

  • hahaha ” Right up our street”, I can be even more precise, I found the same sort of stuff in Terry`s wardrobe along with a Harry Potter invisibility cloak and a magic telescopic wand !. hahaha

  • I wish to talk about spatial awareness, yes thats right, you heard me,

    DB10 was a genius on another level. Of all the great players i have seen dorn the shirt he is the best,and why?, spatial awarness thats why. He could find space on a London tube at rush hour. And then to compound his magic, he could pick out a pass from one end of the carriage to the other. Avoiding all the suits and pickpockets he would hit the annoying ear phoned student right between the eyes. Genius.

  • He`s not called God for nothing !. There are so many Youtube clips, each one mesmerising.
    The complete player. A visionary midfielder and cool finishing striker rolled into one, two for the price of one.
    Pick your greatest Arsenal team and he and TH14 will be first on the list, everyone else can be argued about . I miss him more than the missus !. hahaha

  • Then he truly is God Cornwall. Not even mothballs dare invade the privacy of Arsenes wallet. hahaha

  • hahaha, theres something realy amusing about “Arsenes Wallet”. I wonder if any ones ever seen it. I know my Mrs goes through mine all the time looking for money or evidence. I wonder if just after Arsene told his wife he loved her he then gave her his most serious look and said “but you will never zee my wallet”.

  • Right, I`m off to don my cloak and fake fangs as a new series of Vampire Diary`s is about to start. It`s only the same as wearing an Arsenal top when at the Emirates, I like to get in the mood for it. I also like Jeremy Kyle, but I haven`t a retarded totnum shirt ! . hahaha

  • Terry: ‘But you will never zee my wallet’ hahaha 😛

    Spatial awareness and understanding geometry like no other – what a joy to watch, he was!! 🙂

  • Total 13:53. Sorry for late reply.
    VLCC = Very Large Crude Carriers
    ULCC = Ultra Large Crude Carriers

    We used to berth VLCC at Coryton.

  • Goede morgen fellow Gooners! 🙂

    Just over 100 hours to go untill we meet the Canaries.

    Next post should be out around noon and will be about ‘rotation rotation rotation’.

  • great post TA. Originally I thought he was brought in for our aerial problems and nothing else, but after seeing the Chelsea game last season i thought “why on Earth did we buy him, he can’t bloody jump!”

    Turns out he is perhaps our most important defender. It amazes me how good he is at not being exposed for pace, to the point where it now annoys me when people say “we are against aguero/suarez/insert other quick player so we should drop BFG.” You are right, he is a total professional. From no defenders to kozzer, verm, and BFG! we are spoilt for choice, i just feel sorry for Miquel because how is he and Djourou able to get a look in!

    Turns out when I said Australia beat Germany yesterday 2-1, it was actually a replay of a game on 29th March 2011. I blame the international break for the confusion, not the lack of awareness on my part!

  • Good morning, lovelies, 🙂

    Getting close to returning to ‘proper’ football at the weekend.
    The internationals are a bl**dy nuisance, but still the 2 weeks interlull means we are going to get the benefit of Jack for an extra Arsenal game as he must be nearing a first team return soon.

  • As Germany were busy stuffing Ireland 1:6 at the time, Oz, we sort of knew you were having an upside moment — but you are a mate and we did not want to say so!!! 🙂

  • Hi Oz 🙂

    Love the Germany mix-up! 😛

    You are so right about JD and Miquel. I guess they have to hope for injuries which in itself is a negative way of living. Maybe, good cup runs will give them some proper exposure. I think they are both great guys, and out of all defenders I reckon Djourou is the most like for like replacement of Mertesacker (when injured or suspended).

  • @ RA and TA

    haha both too kind. I hate international football but the idea of beating Germany was too much. That’s how long it takes for us to get information in oz. How good was Henry’s goal against Leeds on the weekend?! glad to have him back!

    I agree Djourou is most like for like replacement. His shoulder injury could not have come at a worse time, because now he does not get a look in. For the betterment of his career he should probably go (but being thee selfish supporter he can stay thank you). I’m excited to see how Miquel develops.

  • Oz,

    I watched Miquel live against the Norwich reserves at Carrow Road. He is a star in the making. Technically very gifted, a beautiful long range pass, strong in the air and good vision/reading of the game in front of him. He needs a six months good lone deal at a PL team in which he plays every game.

  • Selecting the right CBs from a limited number available is difficult bearing in mind the need to keep the players happy, but the midfield selection will eventually become a nightmare, and I can foresee some very unhappy bunnies.

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