I'm actually surprised an article hasn't been made about this yet, but there's an article about it on Sky Sports News where he is quoted as saying he is "lacking motivation" this season. He also seems to be insinuating that it's not just him, but some other players have a similar mindset.
http://m.skysports.com/article/football/yourclub/9530568?compid=263&teamid=413
In my opinion, and especially considering he is our vice-captain, I find these comments to be outrageous.
First of all, how can someone so experienced be incredibly naive to admit something like this to the media? That's just poor form really.
Secondly, this really isn't something you want to hear from your most experienced centre back. I get the world cup was a surreal experience, but the season has started and he should have his head focused on the games he has for Arsenal. He claimed to retire from International duty to focus more on club level, yet he seems to still be dreaming about the world cup win. And has admitted as much in public!
Thirdly, he uses the word "we" as if it's a collective issue, rather than an individual one. This is also concerning as it portrays his team mates in a negative light and exposes how the players aren't psychologically prepared for what was always going to be a big season. Wenger must shoulder some blame for this as he is our manager and he should be making more of an effort to man-manage and help galvanise the players, but also, as professionals who are getting paid hundreds of thousands of pounds every week, play for the third biggest club in England and play regular Champions League football in a state of the art stadium, how can that not self-motivate you?
And finally, he claimed to not have enough time to celebrate the World Cup...he had a month off AND started the season late! What more does he want? If he can't motivate himself after the World Cup win, then he should just retire.
Terrible all round, in my view.
What do you guys make of this?
Mertesacker's comments
posted on 23/10/14
Yeah that's true. Each case is different, though.
posted on 23/10/14
comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 2 minutes ago
"After a massive high it's natural to struggle for motivation, his wages and everything else is irrelevant to his sporting motivation."
Thoughts on pretty much the rest of the German world cup squad starting the season really well?
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comment by Chris H (U15205)
posted 2 minutes ago
"After a massive high it's natural to struggle for motivation, his wages and everything else is irrelevant to his sporting motivation."
Thoughts on pretty much the rest of the German world cup squad starting the season really well?
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I haven't watched them but our 3 Germans have been average. I wasn't talking specifically about the world cup but people are motivated by their goals and winning the WC is the biggest thing in football. I understand his comments but he shouldn't have said them in public.
posted on 23/10/14
"I haven't watched them but our 3 Germans have been average. I wasn't talking specifically about the world cup but people are motivated by their goals and winning the WC is the biggest thing in football. I understand his comments but he shouldn't have said them in public."
True, but why just us? The rest of the German squad seem fine including the ones who don't play for Bayern.
I don't mind him being honest. Sometimes we seem to want our players to be like politicians, constantly reassuring the fans everything is hunky dory when actually they are human beings with real concerns and issues.
The shame is that he's not motivated. After winning the World Cup, which like you say is the biggest achievement in football, you'd hope that it would push him harder to win the PL & CL, but he suggests he's struggling to motivate himself for the fight. A real shame, especially considering he is vice captain.
posted on 24/10/14
I'm sure if we'd have signed the players to go into the season and really have a fighting chance at the league, the players would be hugely motivated.
But going in with a squad short on both numbers and quality in areas gives us no chance and feels like the same 4th place battle. I'm not surprised some players may lose motivation.
I'd rather players that are fed up of it than happy to never challenge.
posted on 24/10/14
I would lack motivation if my CB partner was Monreal and my DM was Arteta or Flamini.
posted on 24/10/14
Dortmund, Schalke and Leverkusen have been pretty woeful this season, so not sure if it is true to say no other Germany is suffering a WC hangover.
posted on 24/10/14
"Dortmund, Schalke and Leverkusen have been pretty woeful this season, so not sure if it is true to say no other Germany is suffering a WC hangover."
Dortmund have been woeful, agree. But Schalke only sent Draxler to the WC and he looks really good, Leverkusen didn't send anyone I think?
posted on 24/10/14
To be fair, just looking at their WC squad, didn't realise just how many came from Bayern, particularly from there starting XI.
posted on 24/10/14
Per needs to wake up and get his head back in the game as do the other players. It's embarrassing professionals have taken so long to do this, it's really obvious watching him that he is way off the pace. I hope Wenger gives him a good talking to.
Many of our players look off the pace, the likes of ox, flamini etc A good scalp like the United game coming up should get them going but it's poor that it hasn't happened yet
posted on 24/10/14
We need to go all out and get Hummels, even if it costs 30+M and send Per to the bench. We will have upgraded our CB pairing, improved our depth and converted one of our weaker spots to a strength,