Arsenal: Per Mertesacker the taskmaster the perfect risk

Not much has been made of the risk that it is to hire Per Mertesacker as the new head of the Arsenal academy. However, his recent comments suggest he will be a harsh taskmaster. He might just be the perfect risk to take.

I am not sure enough is being made of the decision to make Per Mertesacker the next Head of the Academy at Arsenal from when he retires this summer.

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Because the decision was publicly announced over a year ago, because the role is a diminished one in regards to its profile, because Mertesacker is a trusted and respected individual, the appointment has not perhaps garnered the consideration that it deserves.

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But questions should be asked. Let’s be clear here. This is somebody coming straight out of playing and into one of the most influential managerial and player-development roles at the club without any significant coaching experience. It is a big risk, even if it is not being talked about as such.

So, it was extremely interesting to me to read about Mertesacker’s intentions and values as he prepares for his new role in the serialised release of his latest book. First and foremost, Mertesacker wants to challenge the young players:

"“In my new role as Arsenal academy manager, I will do everything I can to challenge the young players’ mindsets. I want to challenge them so that they are ready to take on new ideas and protect them from being injured, when it comes to their body and soul.”"

In the passage, he speaks a lot about the development of his own career and how much of it stemmed not necessarily from his talent, but from his willingness to work at his weaknesses, to train hard, to commit to being the best that he can be, to the mindset that he held. And he wants to translate to the young prospects that he will tutor in the academy:

"“I want to convince them they have to do something to get to the top of the world and I want to be an example for them. For me, there wasn’t really a way up but somehow I made it there anyway, because I did everything I possibly could to give me the best chances to succeed. Talent is what you make of your situation.”"

Mertesacker, then, judging by these comments, is set to be a harsh and demanding taskmaster. And he is in the perfect position to judge whether that is the right attitude to have. He has been through the very same process that many of these academy prospects will be going through in their young careers. He is also an extremely aware, intelligent, high-character individual. Why not take the risk of such a man?

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Certainly, Arsenal are taking a little bit of a leap into the unknown. But Mertesacker is the kind of man that I would like to see this club take a jump into. He could well make a great job of the academy in the coming years.