Why Per Mertesacker Will Be Key Man for Arsenal vs. Tottenham

Some players have a special significance on derby day. As Arsenal prepare to face rivals Tottenham, the news that Per Mertesacker is fit to play will come as a significant boost. 

His injury problem did not come to light until the aftermath of Arsenal’s Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton. Manager Arsene Wenger revealed in his post-match press conference that although Mertesacker had been named among the substitutes, he was suffering with a glute problem.

Fortunately, that appears to have cleared up in time for Saturday’s game. Mertesacker’s fitness will be a key issue for Arsenal this season. The Gunners failed to add a fourth centre-back this summer, meaning they have only the inexperienced Calum Chambers to provide back-up for the first-choice pairing of Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

Speaking to ESPN, Wenger explained the difficulty of identifying that extra defender: 

"

There is not a lot on the market and if you look at the other clubs, they had exactly the same problem. If you went anywhere, everybody is looking for defenders.

I feel that we made a very good buy with Calum Chambers and we are a bit unlucky to lose Debuchy and Monreal at the same time together. No matter how many players you buy, you cannot have three players in every position because it is impossible to manage.

"

The sheer lack of numbers means that the giant German will be even more important than usual throughout the campaign. He is the glue that holds the Arsenal back four together.

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Mertesacker’s form has not yet hit the heights of last season, when he was one of the Gunners’ outstanding players. It’s possible he is still recovering, mentally and physically, from the World Cup win in Brazil. He has retired from international duty and is adjusting to a new chapter of his career.

However, his experience and organisational ability make him unique in the Arsenal defence. He is a natural leader, who seems to have a real affinity for the club. He might have been born in Germany, but he clearly identifies as a Gunner. Few players relish the derby like Mertesacker.

In 2012, he headed the equalising goal in Arsenal’s thumping 5-2 win over their neighbours. In 2013, he made a tackle on Nacer Chadli that was so emphatic yet immaculate that it has gone down in Arsenal folklore.  

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Mertesacker will hope to make a similarly telling contribution in 2014. His primary duty will to be ensure that Arsenal avoid the immutable law of the ex and prevent Emmanuel Adebayor from scoring against his former club. The sight of Mertesacker towering over Adebayor would instantly become an iconic derby image. 

Wenger has a remarkable record in the north London derby. Saturday's match will be the 44th time he faces off against Spurs. Thus far, he has suffered just six defeats. With Per Mertesacker at the heart of his defence, the Gunners boss will be confident of avoiding a seventh. 

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2014/15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.