GERMANY/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Arsenal have confirmed the signing of centre-back Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen

Record ID: 721341

  • Title: GERMANY/FILE: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Arsenal have confirmed the signing of centre-back Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen
  • Date: 2nd September 2011
  • Summary: KAMEN, GERMANY (FILE - FEBRUARY 2011) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF THE GERMANY SQUAD TRAINING MERTESACKER WITH THE BALL
  • Embargoed: 17th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa, Germany
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1BKA915V0BG3HEQLUW9SE9T9W
  • Story Text: Arsenal's decision to sign Per Mertesacker just before the close of the transfer window was not a knee jerk reaction by the Premier League club after they were humiliated 8-2 by Manchester United last Sunday (August 28), the German defender said on Thursday (September 1).
    The arrival of Mertesacker, who agreed a four-year deal in a reported nine million euros (£7.9m) transfer from Werder Bremen on Wednesday (August 31), will bolster the team's shaky defence -- especially since he is in the mold of rugged Arsenal great Tony Adams rather than his light-footed successors under coach Arsene Wenger.
    The deal was very much touch-and-go, as Mertesacker recalled. "It was not clear for a very long what was going to happen until the end of the transfer window," he told journalists in Duesseldorf at the German Football Association news conference ahead of the match against Austria. "After the medical check on Tuesday in London it was all very unclear for me until very late on Wednesday. I'm now of course very happy that it all worked out."
    Mertesacker said he was convinced that he would feel right at home in London. "Of course I did a bit of sight-seeing already," he said, adding that his sight-seeing also included the new work-place. "I did hold up and tried on the jersey a number of times. But I think the emotional connection which I have cultivated for some time - even as a young player I walked around in an Arsenal jersey - that brings back wonderful memories, and they all come together now. Which I will address when I go to a training or a match."
    Mertesacker said that even as a young boy he had an affinity to the club. "It all started with me as a child by visiting my aunt in England fairly often. And as a young boy being mad about football I always had to bring back a jersey from England. And I don't know why but I always reached for the Arsenal jersey ..."
    Germany coach Joachim Loew said his defender had made the right move.
    "This is a very good step and I am happy for him," Loew said. "Per will develop immensely at Arsenal. They stress that you have to play with two touches, play it quicker out of defence," said Loew.
    The 26-year-old was one of several late signings by Arsenal including Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta and Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
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