Lets wind back the clock - battered 8-2 at Old Trafford, rolled over consistently by physically imposing teams in the past 3 years (or more) - we were desperate for a rock solid, monster of a centre half. We waited and waited, were linked with plenty of PL ones (Dann & Johnson, Samba, Cahill) and in the end we settled on Mertesacker.
I was dismayed then and nothing I have seen since has made me change my mind. Personally I'm sick of listening about his "80 odd caps for Germany". Emile Heskey has 62 caps - should we sign him too ? Football is full of oddities like this. Stephane Guivarc'h, the non scoring centre forward was an establshed part of the French world cup winning team. Serginho, a dire centre forward that made Baptista look class, was part of the best Brazil team I've had the pleasure to see play in my lifetime. So I'm not interested in what Pear Tree Mertesacker does for his country
The CB position in the PL is a specialist role. The Bundesliga, Ligue 1 etc are not a proper breeding ground for PL centre halves. Koscielny after more than a year is now developing into the role but was completely outmuscled for most of last year.
We were in dire straits in August and needed a specialist and we got the non-jumping German.
I would like to hear what people's mitigating arguments are for this guy. He's shit in the air, despite his size, has all the pace of a latter day Willie Young (honestly Welbeck giving him a 10 yard start and outpacing him today was pure comedy), and his man marking skills are awful. I've heard a somewhat weak argument that he isn't helped by the players around him; well sorry but he's had our first choice keeper behind him and our first choice CB alongside him most of the time
A total 'miss' of a signing in my view. He isn't suited to the PL at all. At times today it was like watching Stepanovs hour of misery at OT a decade ago
The non-jumping German - hit or miss
Mertesacker is clearly shit. That's why he's playing for us, despite all that experience. An ever present in the worst Arsenal back 4 I've seen in over 30 years. Slow, doesn't jump, weak in the tackle. He's garbage it's obvious.
Still. This is AWFC. And like Senderos and Djourou before him, he "needs time".
Uh huh. Funny how players new to the league like Tiote and co don't "need time" eh?
Still. This is AWFC. And like Senderos and Djourou before him, he "needs time".
Uh huh. Funny how players new to the league like Tiote and co don't "need time" eh?
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franksav63
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Well
I for one believe that if he had chipped in with, ooooh 3-4 goals so far this season, he would currently be being exhalted as a master signing by Wenger and people would be stroking their cocks at the thought of him and Vermaelen in partnership once we have some full backs.
But
That's just me.
My real point.
Ain't no body can be signed, no money can be spent to cleanse the defensive mess that is Arsenal these days.
Tactics and training.
Tactics and training.
Repeat ad infinitum.
I for one believe that if he had chipped in with, ooooh 3-4 goals so far this season, he would currently be being exhalted as a master signing by Wenger and people would be stroking their cocks at the thought of him and Vermaelen in partnership once we have some full backs.
But
That's just me.
My real point.
Ain't no body can be signed, no money can be spent to cleanse the defensive mess that is Arsenal these days.
Tactics and training.
Tactics and training.
Repeat ad infinitum.
Playing devils advocate here.franksav63 wrote:He's a useless wanker (like Red Wummy c**t Member)
Hes better than squeaky and.............
He did clear one off the line today. (After fouling Welbeck and shoulda been sent off)
Hes a big fucking German
Hes new to playing for a team that doesn't coach defense. (Remember everyone thought Kos was shit at the start too. Now hes used to not being coached hes fuckin immense.)
Hes better than Djourou
Hes got a good song
That one goes on the list too Red ! A fucking belter that oneRed Member wrote:Mertesacker is clearly a class defender
What did he do wrong today?
Let me answer a question with a question if I may
What did he do right today? And if your answer is the goal-line clearance then wind back the replay and watch the 20 seconds or so that lead to it !
Wrong there buddy. Tactics and training can only work so far and then the raw talent of the player in question kicks in. Prime example: Walcott.Number 5 wrote:Well
I for one believe that if he had chipped in with, ooooh 3-4 goals so far this season, he would currently be being exhalted as a master signing by Wenger and people would be stroking their cocks at the thought of him and Vermaelen in partnership once we have some full backs.
But
That's just me.
My real point.
Ain't no body can be signed, no money can be spent to cleanse the defensive mess that is Arsenal these days.
Tactics and training.
Tactics and training.
Repeat ad infinitum.
He can train all day and all night but that isn't going to make his touch better. After six years he's still making the same mistakes every other game.
Whereas AOC on numerous ocassions today controlled the ball in situations where Walcott would have had no hope in doing so and he hasn't had a fraction of the 'training' that Walcott has had. In the end it comes down to the talent that the player posesses. There's no doubt that if we have a blank cheque players such as Walcott, djorou etc.. would be nowhere near the first 11.
He fouled Welbeck? From what I saw he didn't touch him, Szczesny went under him and didn't commit a foul.
But you can't blame him for shit coaching, Keown coached a makeshift back four that contained Senderos (still ruined by Wneger IMO) in 2006 to the Champions League final. With proper coaching, Mertesacker would be able to do his job properly.
But you can't blame him for shit coaching, Keown coached a makeshift back four that contained Senderos (still ruined by Wneger IMO) in 2006 to the Champions League final. With proper coaching, Mertesacker would be able to do his job properly.
Yep. He pushed him in the back. If it had of been Rooney or Nani they'd have gone down and got the BFG sent off.Sutch wrote:He fouled Welbeck? From what I saw he didn't touch him, Szczesny went under him and didn't commit a foul.
But you can't blame him for shit coaching, Keown coached a makeshift back four that contained Senderos (still ruined by Wneger IMO) in 2006 to the Champions League final. With proper coaching, Mertesacker would be able to do his job properly.
Lets put this lack of coaching thing to bed once and for all. Those that defend him, make reference to his 80 odd caps for Germany. He is supposed to be an experienced international class defender. Are you seriously claiming that six months at Arsenal have changed all that and turned him from being a world class defender to an awful one.
