Per Mertesacker: The BFG

[hydrofluoric acid]

For me giving Mertesacker a new contract is the same as celebrating draw in a game where we were averaging goal every 5 minutes(since first goal was scored) and still had 5 minutes to play. It is good. It is all ok.

But not good enough.

We are specialist in charity and top 4.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Well it's not like we've been winning league titles while he's been here?

What advice does he he have to give? If you were talking about one of our last remaining players from our invincibles or something then I would understand.

This.

Merts isn't some Arsenal legend ffs - he was brought in to help steer the ship and stabilise the club after a tumultuous summer in which we lost Cesc and Nasri. He did a fantastic job in that regard, but he has never been good enough for a team aspiring to win titles. In some ways he epitomises (through no fault of his own) the 'top 4 is good enough' vibe that has permeated through the club since 2011.

He would have been shipped off a long time ago at any other top club.

 

[razörist]

Is there any actual confirmation that warrants the thread title change?

 

[rich 1990]

There's no logic to an extension. You've got Koscielny as the leader of the centre backs, Gabriel and Mustafi both at good ages to take up that mantle. Then Holding and Chambers as 4 and 5th choices. This is literally pointless.

 

[Lookin' for a new Baby]

Is there any actual confirmation that warrants the thread title change?

There's nothing on the official website about it.

 

[El Duderino]

per gets a new deal but steady and solid sagna is left to go to city, i wonder who the young players will look up to more. Sagna or a guy you can find videos of him cowering in a wall during free kicks.

Not that I'm in favour of renewing Per, but Sagna wanted a pay check we couldn't give him. Mertesacker's case is a renewal clause which would likely not see him earning more then he already does at Arsenal.

As someone has already said, Per came here and did his job of helping stabilize the ship (same as Arteta). You make it sound as he had zero contribution to the team, despite players saying how they looked up to him, Arteta, et. al. I really don't think he should still be at the club when the season ends, but having the club activate his renewal clause doesn't erase the good he did for Arsenal at that period in time.

 

[Tir Na Nog]

I'd rather have Mertesacker as the experienced backup centre back than Gabriel (though he's done well at RB recently). We'll probably loan out Holding next year and hope that Chambers will come back from Boro much improved and can start to really challenge for a starting spot next season.

 

[CurryFlavoured]

It doesn't make much sense given our squad. He's 32, coming off a bad run of injuries and wasn't playing very well before that. It's a one year deal though so I don't have any major complaints.

 

[say yes]

Odd move but doesn't particularly bother me.

 

[Rex Stone]

Thing is we don't really sell players that often from the first team, they usually seem to run down contracts.

Doubt we'll move Gabriel on if Per signs, personally I already trust Chambers and Holding more than him after this year. I'd honestly say Per is our 6th best CB.

 

[Giroud]

I'd rather have Mertesacker as the experienced backup centre back than Gabriel (though he's done well at RB recently). We'll probably loan out Holding next year and hope that Chambers will come back from Boro much improved and can start to really challenge for a starting spot next season.

So let's shunt Gabriel to 4th choice, loan out Holding and bring Chambers back to be 5th choice? How the hell is he going to challenge for a starting spot when he is going to be 5th choice? He'll get next to no opportunities bar injuries and even then chances will be slim.

Mertesacker is coming back from injury, 32 and in decline while Gabriel is improving and entering his prime, Holding looks a real proper talent and Chambers also has potential. Giving Mertesacker a new contract is a brainless decision.

 

[Giroud]

It doesn't make much sense given our squad. He's 32, coming off a bad run of injuries and wasn't playing very well before that. It's a one year deal though so I don't have any major complaints.

Only one more year but nearly another £4m down the drain. Just doesn't make sense with Gabriel a solid third choice still improving and entering his prime and two good prospects in reserve worthy of being a 4th choice.

 

[Polar Bear]

I can't wait for Wengers presser for the Burnely game.. When asked about transfer targets this January, Wenger responded "Mertesacker contract signing is like a new player"

 

[novarek]

Don't see Chambers making it, fans have a feast with him at RB and at CB Holding and now this guy will get minutes over him

 

[Penn_]

With Gabriel covering RB it gives the impression of false depth or at least not anywhere near the quality in depth that a tittle challengers would want.

Would you be comfortable with this at the weekend?

Gabirel - Mustafi - Mertesacker - Monreal

Two players out of that four are easily beaten with pace.

 

[Trilly]

Thing is we don't really sell players that often from the first team, they usually seem to run down contracts.

Yet we complain about our lack of resources.

It's frustrating when a club that aspires to win a title without financial doping is so inefficient with the resources available to us.

 

[bingobob]

It doesn't make much sense given our squad. He's 32, coming off a bad run of injuries and wasn't playing very well before that. It's a one year deal though so I don't have any major complaints.

I can think of 3.64 million reasons why. And I'll tell you now I'll be Furious is he re signs and we lose Alexis because his wages are too high.

 

[CurryFlavoured]

Only one more year but nearly another £4m down the drain. Just doesn't make sense with Gabriel a solid third choice still improving and entering his prime and two good prospects in reserve worthy of being a 4th choice.

I can think of 3.64 million reasons why. And I'll tell you now I'll be Furious is he re signs and we lose Alexis because his wages are too high.

You're not wrong, and I don't agree with it either. I just expected worse than a one year deal when I read all the angry comments. I think the way we distribute wages at the club is ridiculous and if it was me I'd have let Per move on. I hope it doesn't affect Chambers.

 

[Mark Tobias]

Makes no sense to sign this fool. Would show the complete lack of ambition from the board to the manager.

 

[Lookin' for a new Baby]

Do you all think Chambers is good enough? I'm not so sure.