07 Sep 2018 15:05:33
Just read article regarding BFG.
to me he was great. Not so much in ability, but his attitude and honesty ranks him high up. Just my opinion. What he lacked, he made up for in other ways.
Sidestep. caught highlights of cazorla so far for Villarreal this season. Unbelievable player, and only one out of ladt few seasons that occupy spot in invincible squad. Squad, not 1st 11.
07 Sep 2018 16:14:19
He's certainly honest about his attitude! 😂.
07 Sep 2018 18:39:21
I like Mertesacker, but to think that we paid him a year's salary when he didn't want to play is shameful.
07 Sep 2018 20:22:18
I don't profess to know anything about football, buy AW employed merts with the youth team and kept him on for the last season because of his experience and that he was a good role model and for the support he provided. Not sure if anyone else saw the article about cech a while back, when (I think) a spurs or Burnley player got a head injury similar to his bday he went round to his family house to speak thlo the player and family aand tall them through his experience and stress and doubts etc. Those things outside of just playing football.
Tbh, I used to think merts being slow was a liability bto the team, but when he played with holding in the fa cup and they spoke after about how they doubled upon Costa, I realised how much his psychology and tactics were missed.
I'm glad we paid and kept bfg, and have cech now. How we use cech In the team to get the best out of him is a different matter.
07 Sep 2018 21:12:28
We are motivated differently and what Mertesacker is like off the pitch and away from the camera I've no idea but apparently he's a really nice bloke in everyday life.
For me personally I would have had a real problem working with Mertesacker simply because his actions on the pitch never matched his words off the pitch.
There are the obvious examples I've covered more than enough in the past so i will spare you all those but I found it particularly difficult to listen to him after one champions league defeat where he himself had directly cost us one goal and he also played a big part in another, he was interviewed after the game and spoke of individual team mates who bad mistakes which was true but he completely failed to mention or take any responsibility for his own howlers during the interview.
Personally I've got a lot of time for people who hold thier hands up and include themselves in taking responsibility for things that go wrong but I struggle with peole who point fingers but avoid looking at themselves first.
Personally I think if you are going to talk the talk you should also walk the walk, or say nothing.
07 Sep 2018 22:08:15
Mert wast and isn't one of my favourite arsenal players and that's being kind. i'm not sure how he came to play football at a high level. So, on the pitch for me, he is no role model. Off the pitch, i can't really have an opinion because, i don't know him at all. Is he someone our younger players can look up to, i'm not sure. I also never had him down as one of the bravest arsenal defenders. To admit, you didn't fancy playing in the last year of your contract, after being paid handsomely, doesn't fit with me at all. Definitely not vortsprung derk tecnique.
07 Sep 2018 23:35:44
Tony Adams confuses me when he talks so if he was my coach I'd struggle but if he spoke to me about bravery commitment effort responsibility I'd I'd think about his record and listen.
I'd struggle with Mertesacker not because I didn't undestand him but because I'd think " what like you ".
I personally don't think Mertesacker is a good example to give the next generation of Arsenal hopefuls.
08 Sep 2018 13:45:45
I must have read different articles. I thought merts said he used to get nervous and feel sick before games. If he performs, so what? And if other players empathise/ feel similar, surely that'd encourage others.
If what someone else said about not taking responsibility forhis howlers is true, that's something I don't agree with (though it's ok for mourinho) but after not playing all season and to come back and play in the 2017 fa cup final with Rob holding (who most on here think isn't ready and definitely wasn't then) and ospina in goal against Costa amongst others is a classic example of someone doing the talking on the pitch in big games that everyone wants, and surely speaks volumes about his experience, talent and professionalism?
08 Sep 2018 15:58:51
Personally I really like BFG - a giant of a man. Loved our club and organised our team well. He was not the most talented individual bu5 understood his limitations. He read the game well and inspires others. Look at his engagement with Holding in FA Cup and Lacazette during his goal drought. Personally, I think he’s a good role model for our youngsters, appreciates the game, understands the pressures of top flight football and will be able to pass down knowledge rather than having a special talent. Always liked the guy.
08 Sep 2018 16:45:46
Personally I found Merts to have one rule for himself and another for others, in my job I'd struggle to take a lecture on time keeping from a man who was always late himself.
I admire people who lead by example.
08 Sep 2018 17:32:47
Anyone who ducks out of the way of a ball coming into the box, instead of being strong and heading it a long way away is no role model in my opinion. Could you imagine big Tone or Keown behaving in that way?
I thank him wholeheartedly for his efforts in the cup final where he was immense (arguably his best game for us) , but never did forget that ducking atrocity.
