• Premier League

Per wants patience from Arsenal fans

ESPN staff
December 15, 2011
Per Mertesacker despairs © PA Photos
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Per Mertesacker has warned Arsenal fans that they will not see the best of him this season.

The giant Germany international arrived at Arsenal towards the end of the summer transfer window from Werder Bremen, with Arsene Wenger settling on Mertesacker despite showing interest in Chris Samba and Gary Cahill.

Mertesacker's form has been patchy, but he claims it takes time to find your feet in a new environment and expects to show his class in the years to come.

"I am feeling good and I think that is the best thing," he said. "It was quite a short time for me to settle in and make the transfer happen - it was very close to the deadline so it was a tough month for me.

"I think in England the best players in the world are here. They have a lot of strength, a lot of speed, it doesn't compare to the Bundesliga. The technical ability is similar, but the speed and the physical power is different.

"If you have no pre-season with the team then that makes it more difficult. People think it's easy to connect with your club, your team-mates, but it takes time. It's getting better and better and hopefully I can keep improving now.

"Let me play a season and you can get the full picture of my personality and my ability as a footballer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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