Arsenal: Per Mertesacker Deserves Respectful Exit

Per Mertesacker has talked about move to Werder Bremen when his contract expires at the end of the season. He deserves a respectful from Arsenal.

The exit of a long serving player can sometimes be unceremonious, disrespectful and downright nasty. The fall outs of Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson, Jaap Stam and Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson – seeing a pattern here? – show the issues that a club can have in such a scenario. Arsenal are entering this scenario.

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The contracts of many of the elder statesmen within the Gunners squad are set to expire this coming season. The likes of Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker are staring down a potential exit from North London. Both deserve respectful departures if that is indeed what entails.

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The former I expect to stay at the Emirates. He has said that he will sign a new contract if he is offered one and his importance to the team is evidently clear given his recent performances as the central cog of what is now an impressive side who have pummeled a host of quality opponents.

The latter, however, could well be on his way out. Throughout his time spent rehabbing from a knee injury suffered in the preseason, £35 million man Shkodran Mustafi has usurped his German teammate as Laurent Koscielny’s partner and Rob Holding has impressed, suggesting that he can develop into a future centre-half for Arsenal.

Consequently, Mertesacker may well be looking at his options come next summer, and Werder Bremen captain Clemens Fritz stated “We’ve talked about it [a return to Bremen]. It would be a good thing for the club.” If he is to leave on a free, then he deserves respect from the fanbase. While he has often been vilified for his horrific lack of pace, his leadership, his experience and loyalty are all traits that merit celebration, not criticism.

Mertesacker has been a long-serving established member of this squad and should be treated as such. While his role at the club has diminished these past two years, he is still a massive influence within the dressing room and will be a major loss if he does choose to depart.

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Arsene Wenger handed Mertesacker the armband after Mikel Arteta left in the summer. He is now looking at yet another captain leaving his squad. Like Arteta, let’s give Mertesacker all the respect he deserves if this indeed his last season at the Emirates.