Per Mertesacker Quotes

Per Mertesacker

Profession : Coach

Birth : September 29, 1984

Sometimes I get the feeling that some parents really think their son can pay for their pension, especially being in London.

Per Mertesacker

When I was young and visited England with my auntie, as somebody who was football crazy, I simply had to come back with a shirt. I can't remember why, but I came back with an Arsenal shirt and my brother had a Manchester United one.

Per Mertesacker

It is not only the skilful players who can make the difference in a game. It is as well players who just try to stick to their qualities and give absolutely everything.

Per Mertesacker

The first Premier League season is always tough for anyone.

Per Mertesacker

Suarez is like a cheeky boy, he looks like a cheeky boy who can really switch on and off how he wants to be, so that is really something. When he is on the pitch, what is going on around him doesn't bother him.

Per Mertesacker

We have to present ourselves as a unit, no matter what happens. That is what Arsenal stands for.

Per Mertesacker

You spend some time with kids, you always take something with you.

Per Mertesacker

There are so many people around young kids nowadays it can make it very tough and difficult - people who think they are going to care for those kids but do the opposite.

Per Mertesacker

Youngsters need self-esteem, simple targets in life which give energy. In the academy they can be so easily distracted by so many other things it's amazing.

Per Mertesacker

There are still so many issues around young players, and we need to find the right way for them. What is really important? What does he need for his self-belief? For his development?

Per Mertesacker

Even at the age of 33 I was one of the most flexible at Arsenal when it came to my back muscles.

Per Mertesacker

Talent is what you make of your situation.

Per Mertesacker

We have all the money in the world but do not realise how important the body is. A player on average has a seven year professional career, 10-15 if everything goes right. You have to do everything possible to be at your maximum.

Per Mertesacker

That's why I kept going with my school - I wasn't talented. That's what's the difficulty - you want to define key talents when they are 12, 13 or 14? When I was that age I was nowhere near. People had given up on me.

Per Mertesacker

I want players to think: 'OK, this has happened now, what is next for me?' That's a very big target because what are academies about nowadays? Is it really just to find one or two players? But what happened to the others? I'm very, very interested in that.

Per Mertesacker

I can't even count to five when I say my proper friends in football.

Per Mertesacker

That's what I love, getting the tube, not getting any recognition, trying to be as normal as possible. Sometimes you get a big Arsenal fan and they tell you they have a season ticket or want to have a chat, which is fine. Some want a selfie, but sometimes I just want to say: 'Let's just shake hands. It means more than a picture.'

Per Mertesacker

My home town called me a citizen of honour. So I'm a special citizen now.

Per Mertesacker

I don't see myself coaching because the intensity of that is massive, and the intensity as a manager, for example Arsene Wenger, is even more.

Per Mertesacker

I was lucky to get a professional contract. I wasn't that sort of talent that is considered to be a professional player.

Per Mertesacker