Arsenal’s big German defender Per Mertesacker had a commanding performance in Sunday’s 1-0 Community Shield victory against Chelsea. He’s formed a partnership with Laurent Koscielny that is one of the best in the Premier League, and the confidence, composure, and experience they both display on the football pitch is second to none. Mertesacker spoke to the media following Arsenal’s retention of the Community Shield.
Arsene Wenger’s first win against Jose Mourinho was during pre-season, but it’s still an important victory, with Arsenal adding a third trophy to a successful pre-season after the Barclays Asia Trophy and the Emirates Cup. Mertesacker said: “It’s another win. We’ve played a decent pre-season and it’s a good preparation for the first game.”
The Gunners will be aiming for bigger and better than the Community Shield this season, and will hope to please Gunners fans: “It says absolutely nothing but it’s a little title for us, keeps our confidence as high as it was, so we are pretty happy with the performance.
“My voice is nearly gone and I’m trying my best to speak. Eighty thousand is a great attendance so we have to thank every fan who came along today.”
It was a tough afternoon against the current Premier League champions, and Arsenal have come under scrutiny in the past for not being able to beat the big teams. They’ve also been criticised for not being able to hold onto a lead, however Arsenal proved both of those points to be wrong on Sunday: “It’s still pre-season. It’s a beginner,” said Mertesacker. It keeps our confidence high and I think we deserved it.
“Everyone dug in and deserved it.”
The Community Shield isn’t the only victory Wenger has over Mourinho this summer. The Portuguese manager made Thibaut Courtois his number one, leaving Petr Cech surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. At just 33-years-old, the Czech keeper still offers so much to Arsenal, and has been very impressive in his three performances since his £10m signing in July. Mertesacker echoed this: “He has so much experience and that gives us a huge boost before the start of the season.
“His contribution is massive but let’s not expect too much because he hasn’t been playing for a year.”
Arsenal’s Player of the Year Alexis Sanchez missed Sunday’s victory after being given an extended break due to competing in the Copa America, however he’s back in training today, and will no doubt be pushing to start in this season’s opener at home against West Ham: “We’re going to try our best and when Alexis Sanchez is back we have a good squad.”
