Mertesacker Nervous But Excited

Per Mertesacker is, in some respects, feeling like most enthusiastic football fans as the week end draws nearer. Club football will be back for supporters all over the country to feast their hungry eyes on, and quell the unbearable boredom that some may have suffered during the brief international break, and excitement is running high.

The German defender, signed this summer by Arsene Wenger soon after Arsenal's demolition at the hands of Manchester United is looking forward to his first game in an Arsenal shirt, but has admitted to having new school-like nerves at the prospect.

It is of course natural for players in a new country and new environment, learning about a foreign culture and a different language to develop butterflies before their first game, so do not fear, Arsenal fans, this experienced 26 year-old is not on the brink of a breakdown like a few of the Arsenal defence have done in recent weeks. He said:

"It is like before the first day at school. I have a new challenge in a new country, a new style of play and a new language and I am ready for it."

“It is exciting. It is a new phase in my life and I am really looking forward to it, but I also feel nervous.”

Arsenal will be up against newly promoted Swansea City on Saturday - a game in which Arsenal are huge favourites to win, despite their recent, dreadful form. A solid defensive performance will be very welcome by Wenger and the fans, who will love to forget their last Premier League performance before the well-timed international break.

Mertesacker will surely love a solid and impressive start to his career, and with respect to Swansea, their doesn't seem a better place to take that start.

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