Per Mertesacker

I invested a lot in my fitness.

— Per Mertesacker

Football has taught me so much.

— Per Mertesacker

Things can change very fast in football.

— Per Mertesacker

Arsenal has always been special for me.

— Per Mertesacker

Every footballer has his ups and downs.

— Per Mertesacker

I loved the Olympics.

— Per Mertesacker

I want to show on the training pitch that I am ready whenever the manager needs me.

— Per Mertesacker

I was talented at a young age, but I still had to grow and develop further.

— Per Mertesacker

Playing at the highest level really is something special for me.

— Per Mertesacker

The more people that write me off, the stronger I get.

— Per Mertesacker

You know what you have achieved and what you have been through.

— Per Mertesacker

Talent is what you make of your situation.

— Per Mertesacker

Moving abroad brings you on both as a player and a person.

— Per Mertesacker

I wasn't that good at football aged 14 or 15. I didn't take it too seriously.

— Per Mertesacker

If you just protect and you have no chances on the break and you miss one chance to kill the game, then…

— Per Mertesacker

One thing is for sure, I will give everything every time I put on the Arsenal shirt.

— Per Mertesacker

At Arsenal you are replaceable so quickly as a player, I don't want to stand in someone's way.

— Per Mertesacker

There are not a lot of German players out there who are successful in a foreign country.

— Per Mertesacker

First and foremost, Wenger saw us as human beings and he had a lot of faith in us, which is why he…

— Per Mertesacker

In the moments before a game starts my stomach turns around as if I had to vomit. Then I have to choke…

— Per Mertesacker

Sometimes as a player you have a different view and you can't believe what we did as a defensive unit.

— 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,…

— Per Mertesacker

The heritage of Arsenal, to believe in our academy and to really promote our academy. That's important and that's why I am…

— Per Mertesacker

Never tackle, never go down, we've heard it over and over again. You have to try to keep Messi away from the…

— Per Mertesacker

Some days you realise that everything is a burden, both physically and mentally. That it's not about fun, but you have to…

— Per Mertesacker

If Messi has the ball, he is fantastic to watch and difficult to stop. You have to double up on him, triple…

— Per Mertesacker

I was fortunate to play under Thomas Schaaf at Bremen. And I played for Arsene Wenger. So I always felt, let's say,…

— Per Mertesacker

The amount of staff we have in academies is... I've never seen anything like it. It's good to take care of the…

— Per Mertesacker

It is not only the skilful players who can make the difference in a game. It is as well players who just…

— Per Mertesacker

There are so many people around young kids nowadays it can make it very tough and difficult - people who think they…

— Per Mertesacker

For a national player it is a good thing to get experience playing abroad.

— Per Mertesacker

Of course I have an advantage with my size on set pieces.

— Per Mertesacker

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

— Per Mertesacker

The first time in my career I thought it makes no sense anymore, that I'll retire.

— Per Mertesacker

When you step up as a young talent, you need to challenge the old lads.

— Per Mertesacker

Living in London is very different to living in a little town in Germany.

— Per Mertesacker

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

— Per Mertesacker

It is a lot of fun here in England and at Arsenal.

— Per Mertesacker

I had a great time at SV Werder Bremen and I'm grateful to the club.

— Per Mertesacker

You always have to remain professional. I have always done so.

— Per Mertesacker