Per Mertesacker was named vice-captain of the Gunners at the start of the last season, he skippered the team regularly whenever Mikel Arteta wasn’t available – be that through injury or suspension.
German counterpart, Mesut Ozil, says Mertesacker’s mental qualities are a fine example for the whole Arsenal squad.
This is not the first time Ozil has played alongside the big German, the two played together for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen and the 26-year-old spoke highly of his long-term teammate.
“I always see Per as a role model,” Ozil told Arsenal Player. “He always gives everything for the team, you can see that he’s determined and wants to be successful. You can sense that on the pitch.
“He’s very focused, very professional. He does his job 100 per cent – he’s not the sort of person who does things by half measures.
“He’s rather the sort of person who, if he has something in his head, wants to see it through. He looks after himself and his diet, and before matches he does his exercises to make sure that he stays fit and doesn’t pick up any injuries.
“You can see on the pitch that he’s fresh and is always there for everyone.
“We’re just really pleased to have him and you can sense on the pitch that he gives everything for the team.”
