When I played for Hannover I had several offers, also - as I have been told - from Hamburg, Bremen and Bayern. Back then I already was a German international and Bayern would have loved to have the complete German national team. Per Mertesacker More Quotes by Per Mertesacker More Quotes From Per Mertesacker Of course I have an advantage with my size on set pieces. Per Mertesacker course size advantage pieces Some days you realise that everything is a burden, both physically and mentally. That it's not about fun, but you have to deliver without a doubt. Even if you are injured. Per Mertesacker everything you doubt fun In the moments before a game starts my stomach turns around as if I had to vomit. Then I have to choke so violently until my eyes tear. Per Mertesacker eyes game stomach moments No matter how much striking power you have got, you need to have a sense of defensive compactness from everyone. Per Mertesacker need you power matter In certain situations, players should protect themselves by not losing track of the most important things in their job. Per Mertesacker job things important losing Being in a career and going from highlight to highlight and playing a lot of matches you go through it and think it's normal when you play in front of 60,000 and you almost want to vomit in front of every game. Per Mertesacker game think you want I think it is so beneficial to English and British football when youngsters see different cultures and environments. Per Mertesacker english see think football The heritage of Arsenal, to believe in our academy and to really promote our academy. That's important and that's why I am here as well. I wouldn't waste my time just to know that we are not having successes here at Arsenal. Per Mertesacker i-am heritage time believe Obviously, everyone looks at whether we bring young footballers into the first team, that's one of the goals. But I wouldn't discard someone who is successful in life, that's big. The hall of fame in the academy should be a wide variety of stories. Per Mertesacker goals someone team life If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. You have to double up on him, triple up on him even, stay with him constantly to block his way to the goal. Per Mertesacker stop you difficult way Never tackle, never go down, we've heard it over and over again. You have to try to keep Messi away from the goal and block him with multiple players while being as close to him as possible. He is too quick, too fast, too intense with the ball. Per Mertesacker down never try you I was fortunate to play under Thomas Schaaf at Bremen. And I played for Arsene Wenger. So I always felt, let's say, more responsible than others towards the manager and his succession. Per Mertesacker manager say always play Arsene Wenger was always the kind of manager whose belief in his team's qualities was steady as a rock and who approached matters with never-ending patience. Per Mertesacker rock always team patience First and foremost, Wenger saw us as human beings and he had a lot of faith in us, which is why he stood by us. Per Mertesacker why us human faith Wenger has won three Premier League titles, which is proof enough of his standing as a manager. Per Mertesacker manager standing three enough I was extremely lucky with my career and I want to finish on a high. Per Mertesacker high career lucky want At Arsenal you are replaceable so quickly as a player, I don't want to stand in someone's way. Per Mertesacker stand someone you way The first time in my career I thought it makes no sense anymore, that I'll retire. Per Mertesacker career thought first-time time I expect myself to perform at that level every single week. Per Mertesacker expect myself single week The more people that write me off, the stronger I get. That's my feeling. Per Mertesacker feeling me stronger people
