Arsene Wenger yesterday jumped to the defense of Per Mertesacker, with the German coming under increased criticism in recent weeks. Mertesacker has looked a shell of his former self lately and has really struggled in the first half of the season.

Many believed he was directly at fault for several goals in recent weeks including Stoke’s first two goals just over a fortnight ago, but none more so than Liverpool’s 97th minute equalizer on Sunday. Photos have emerged of Mertesacker appearing to duck or cringe as Skrtel rose to the header, but Wenger was quick to remove the blame from his German centre half.

“Mertesacker gives his best and on the corner it is more organizational and collective problem, because nobody really talks,” he said.

“They should (talk more), yes. Of course it’s important to have someone organizing.”

“He has to get over people highlighting him. Many people had a go at him for the corner but I looked at it and he had no chance to get that ball in the zone where he was.”

“I don’t know (why he ducked). Maybe because he sees he hasn’t got the ball and somebody jumps over him and it’s a reflex. But I don’t think he could have got the ball.”

“Sometimes it’s just one yard forward or backwards that makes a difference. You want somebody to take the leadership there.“

The boss went on to defend Mertesacker’s performances on a whole this year, suggesting the World Cup winner has been unfairly highlighted and has had to deal with difficult circumstances.

“I believe he’s on the way up.He had a difficult start to the season but he’s been much sharper. Sometimes people pick on you just at that moment where you are not at your worse.”

“When Laurent Koscielny will come back and Mathieu Debuchy being back, we will be more stable.”

“Even in midfield we need as well to get our players back and to defend better. We had no stability at the back and when you look at the number of players who played centre back this season, it’s not easy.”

I too have been critical of Mertesacker this year but I agree with Wenger’s assertion about perhaps some it being unwarranted. Having to cope with multiple different partners in centre back would be difficult for anyone I’d imagine but a player of Per’s quality and experience should still be doing better if I’m honest.

I want to see some leadership from Per as he has been the senior figure in the backline for most of the season. He should be the one marshaling the lads and organizing things, and instead he has been the one that looked beyond his depths at times. Harsh possibly, but we gooners hold Per to high standards and aren’t afraid to call him or anyone else out on it if we see fit.

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