Arsenal: Per Mertesacker asked for more of the same

Arsenal press on, with Manchester City up next and no Shkodran Mustafi, meaning that Per Mertesacker will have to morph again.

Arsenal has the biggest match of the early season coming up. After taking on Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates, they will be traveling to the Etihad to take on yet-undefeated Manchester City, who are averaging an astounding 3.5 goals per game.

They have a wealth of attackers, all of which seem to bring something different to the table, and their defense has been remarkably solid, although to be completely honest, I’m not totally sold that they aren’t just riding a momentum wave.

Which segways into the point that I’m making – Shkodran Mustafi is out. Meaning Arsenal’s defense is going to remain as is going into this crucial match-up. This being a defense that has surrendered five goals in the past three matches.

Many people will blame Per Mertesacker. He is, after all, the guy that has been the difference between the clean sheets of September and the not-so-clean sheets of October. I, however, could not be more obstinately opposed to this way of thinking.

I have never considered myself a Mertesacker apologists, at least not in the same way that I am an Olivier Giroud or Aaron Ramsey apologist. I’ve actually always been really hard on the big man. His continued presence baffled the hell out of me.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

But things are different these days. Ever since his masterclass against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, I’ve seen him in a new light. And that new light is the light of motivation and dedication to the cause. Both are things I often wonder about with various Gunners and both the Big Friendly German has in abundance.

Think back to the Watford match. You won’t see many matches where one man’s effort shined so brightly in a loss. While the gumption of the team is right to be questioned, Mertesacker’s use not. He was stoic.

The only mishap I can recall from him is seeing him shoved off the ball by Jordan Ayew in the Arsenal 18-yard box. But again, no one’s perfect.

That’s the thing though. Mertesacker seems to be at his best when we need him most. Chelsea, for instance. And Watford, even though it was for naught.

Next: 3 Reasons Eddie Nketiah Impossible To Over-Hype

We need him against Manchester City, we need him desperately. So I don’t feel any trepidation asking the same out of Mertesacker. He will step up and he will be far from a liability.

Home/Arsenal News