Per Mertesacker defended by DFB president after ex-Germany stars take aim

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German Football Association president Reinhard Grindel has come out in defence of Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker following his recent comments about his career.

The Gunners club captain admitted to Der Spiegel last week that he cannot wait for the current season to finish so he can retire, and that he’s currently enjoying not playing and watching from the bench or stands. NaijaBet.com

The German also admitted he suffers with illness in the build up to games and even admitted his relief at Germany losing the 2006 World Cup semi-final against Italy, no longer having to deal with the pressure.

His comments were met with backlash from former Germany players including Dietmar Hamann and Lothar Matthaus.

But DFB president Grindel believes Mertesacker showed strength in his interview, setting a good example to younger players.

“I think it’s a strength to admit weakness,” he told Sky Deutschland.

“I’m grateful that his interview has just given young players some strength, to open up.”

Speaking shortly after Mertesacker’s interview was released, former Liverpool midfielder Hamann criticised the German for a lack of respect given to Arsenal fans from the club’s captain.

“He makes another statement that is questionable for me,” Hamann said on Sky Deutschland, via the Evening Standard.

“He is still under contract with Arsenal and says that he has no more buck and likes to sit in the stands. He is still paid by the club and has a responsibility,” added the former Liverpool man.

“I find that disrespectful to the fans, his team-mates and the coach. The club is up to its neck at the moment and then you have one of the captains who sits down and says that he no longer wants to play for the club.

“Whether he is the right person to give young players values such as identity and loyalty next year, I have my doubts.” NaijaBet.com

Meanwhile 1990 World Cup winner Matthaus was incensed by the comments about Germany’s 2006 World Cup defeat.

“You don’t have to play for the national team – he did it by his own choice,” he told Sky Deutschland.

“He could have stopped playing if the pressure was too big. To play a World Cup in your home country, and to be carried by euphoria, must not be a burden for you.”

Mertesacker will retire at the end of the current season and take over as head of Arsenal’s academy. NaijaBet.com

A 15-year professional career draws near its close

Starting out at Hannover 96 in 2003, Mertesacker spent three years at the club before joining Werder Bremen in 2006.

Playing 215 games in all competitions for Bremen, the German helped his side win the 2009 DFB-Pokal, playing three times in the run – but missed the final through injury.

Mertesacker then signed for Arsenal in 2011, where he has won three FA Cups including last term, where the final was just one of his two appearances in the season. NaijaBet.com

The defender also tasted success internationally by winning the 2014 World Cup – starting four of their seven games – before finally retiring after 104 appearances.