Stoke will be Per Mertesacker’s biggest test
After a variable first couple of months for Arsenal, Per Mertesacker has seemingly turned a corner in terms of strengthening the backline, especially when partnered with Koscielny. He has faced some tough opposition, with the likes of Kevin Davies, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yakubu coming up against the German since August.
However, Wenger knows that Mertesacker is capable of dealing with such threats: “I brought him here for more than this type of game because I feel he is a good player… He is a good organiser, he is an intelligent player and physically he is getting sharper and sharper in every game… He had no real preparation for the season and now you can see we look less nervous at the back and he contributes to that.”
With Stoke’s indisputably impressive front line consisting of 6ft 7in Peter Crouch and 6ft 2in Kenwyne Jones and both players in reasonable form, though, this will prove to be the ultimate challenge for the defender. Wenger does seem to be right in thinking that he was an excellent transfer but there is surely more to be seen from the Werder Bremen signing.
These type of opponents would be difficult enough to deal without the added menace that is Rory Delap. Such deep throw-ins are unlikely to have been witnessed by Mertesacker before, proving that it will indeed be a difficult day for them all.
Is he good enough to fend-off the returning Vermaelen in two weeks’ time, though?
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i waited for this since Per was bought. i saw how Jones suffed both phisique and fouls of Crouch in their past game. hop He wil prove wenger right.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Why focus on Martesacker alone, defending is a team task. Per can play the best football but unless all the others are on top of their game, then him alone cannot do much.
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6 
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I’d be worried if we were away, but as we’re at home I’m expecting a win =)
Up the arse!
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It’s nice to see our defence looking slightly more confident. Small wins and clean sheets should see us grow though out the season. If we can get in the top 6 by Christmas and what with our injured players returning (and possibly and few additions in January) we should be able to challenge for 4th come February, March. Perhaps the walloping against Man U was a blessing and a wake up call.
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2 
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He’s a good defender and improving all the time cant wait for him and vermaelon to play together i think that will be a great partnership
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2 
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Per give em the boot!
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this needs to be our ideal lineup
schezny
sagna-mert-verm-santos
arshavin-song/arteta-wilshere-gervinho
vp
park (or buy tevez)
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yes defending is a team work. it would be unfair to expect per to do it all on his own. the guy has been solid for us. the thing im concerned the most is stoke will take advantage on our zonal marking on set-pieces! the bottom line is this whole zonal defending thing doesnt work!
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We are gonna win this. Defence looks solid, RVP looks red hot, Aaron and Gervinho are improving like hell, I see no chance that we’re gonna loose.. But more than anything i want Aaron to kick Shawcross in the groin..
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