Arsenal: Managerial Mertesacker Still A Key Cog In The Machine

Theo Walcott has heralded Per Mertesacker’s leadership, claiming he’d be a good manager in the future. The German is still a key cog in the Arsenal machine.

Being able to build and continue successful ventures, sporting, business or otherwise, is a very difficult task. Getting to the top is tough. Staying there is even tougher, as so many organisations, Arsenal included, have found out to their great pain.

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One of the best examples of an extended period of success is Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United tenure. The Scottish manager revolutionised the team multiple times, winning title after title after title with different teams, different players and even different tactics. There were, though, a few key points that led to the great continuity of success that was founded.

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The likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville were ever-present members of the squad, extending their influence across the different eras. Mike Phelan, Rene Muelensteen and chief executive David Gill were all key members of the coaching staff and the club’s makeup in the background.

Now, with momentum building as Arsene Wenger enjoys greater power in the transfer market and is able to protect the futures of his players by keeping them in North London, being able to build continuity is a task that is very difficult but nevertheless important. That is why players like Per Mertesacker are crucial.

When asked about the influence of the club captain, and the man who is known as the Big Friendly Giant, Theo Walcott, another who has enjoyed a great many years under the tutelage of Wenger, stated that his leadership is important for the squad, heralding is potentially managerial qualities:

"“Per Mertesacker, where do I start with him. He’s very serious and he’s a leader on the pitch and off it. You always want to listen to him and I think he’ll be an unbelievable manager. Geneuinely, out of all the players I’ve worked with he’d be the best manager.”"

Although his playing days with the Gunners are quickly coming to a close, that does not mean his influence is lessening. The aforementioned trio of Scholes, Giggs and Neville all had major parts to play in the success that United enjoyed in the latter stages of their own careers even though they were no longer regular fixtures in the starting XI.

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The experience that Mertesacker brings, the knowledge that he can impart and the leadership that he brings to the dressing room merit his stature as an established member of the first-team squad. Moreover, perhaps one day there may even be scope for a coaching role.