Per Mertesacker is leaving Werder Bremen and with him truly an identification figure and a pillar of the team, not to mention the captain of the squad. "The transfer of Per is sport-wise and...
Per Mertesacker is leaving Werder Bremen and with him truly an identification figure and a pillar of the team, not to mention the captain of the squad. "The transfer of Per is sport-wise and...
Per Mertesacker is leaving Werder Bremen and with him truly an identification figure and a pillar of the team, not to mention the captain of the squad. "The transfer of Per is sport-wise and character-wise a big loss for us," said Clemens Fritz on Tuesday. "When you lose the captain and a player who plays on the German national team, then it's a huge loss," added manager Klaus Allofs.
"He played at a high level and with his international experience his personality had a very high ranking within the group. We did not need to sell Per at any price. But we could not stand still also because our financial demands had been fulfilled. Therefore we are happy that a great player stayed with us for so long and that with his whole heart," added Allofs.
The 26-year-old will return to Bremen after the national team games in order to say goodbye to his teammates. Allofs believes Mertesacker will do just fine on the island. "He fits in good the Premier League. Of course he will have to adjust his game and recognise the specifics of the league. That is an entirely normal process and Per is intelligent and good enough to get accustomed," said Allofs. Clemens Fritz, who will take over the captain's armband from Mertesacker, wished the defensive ace much success. "We wish him all the best and are keeping our fingers crossed that he remains healthy. For Arsenal that is a good acquisition," said Fritz.
