Arsenal legend, Charlie Nicholas has stated that Per Mertesacker should get over his World Cup triumph and allow new signing Gabriel to take his place in the team, via The Sports Review
Per Mertesacker has been the source of much praise and criticism since he joined Arsenal from Werder Bremen in 2011. The German centre back could be running out of excuses though following his poor display on Wednesday against Monaco in the Champions League.
The World Cup winner and Arsenal vice-captain was at fault for the first Monaco goal, as Godfrey Kondogbia’s shot ricocheted off him and past the helpless David Ospina in goal. He was also horribly out of position for the second goal and left teammate Laurent Koscielny as the sole Arsenal player in his own half of the pitch for a counter attack.
In the January transfer window, Arsenal signed highly rated centre back Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal and former Arsenal player and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas believes its time for the German to step aside and let a younger player take his place.
The criticism came during today’s Soccer Saturday programme where Nicholas stated that Mertesacker should forget about his World Cup win in the summer and allow the £16 million signing to come in. ““I wish Mertesacker would put his World Cup medal away” said Nicholas who added “congratulations on winning it big man, but it is time to put it in the draw and step aside and let the new signing in”.
Mertesacker may resent that statement though as the German has so far won 66% of duels this season including an 89% take on rate and also winning 69% of headed duels. One of the defenders biggest flaws is his poor tackle rate, which has seen him win just 15 all season.
Nicholas accused Mertesacker of not allowing Arsene Wenger to play the new blood the manager has recruited and that he is a big part of the problem at The Emirates. “He needs to let Arsene Wenger to put new people in. He is part of the problem. You win together and you lose together” concluded Nicholas.
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