He appears to have a wholly new approach and clear philosophy for footballing development. Reading his article on the Guardian reveals his attention to detail, and belief in personal development. He'll be fascinating as head of the academy. I think his attention to detail could really elevate a lot of our younger players.
Some choice quotes:
"I was a big fan of yoga from the beginning because I had seen that it improved stability and flexibility.
Even at the age of 33 I was one of the most flexible at Arsenal when it came to my back muscles. Hardly anyone came to the yoga sessions that the club offered. Often there were only four of us: Héctor Bellerín, Nacho Monreal and Tomas Rosicky.
The youth players who were promoted to the first team smiled at these exercises. They thought we were meditating. They were happy with the ball at their feet but for everything else there was a lack of desire. “I play football and go to training. That’s enough."
"On my right side my timing was super but I had the feeling my left eye was not really up for it. Why was that? And was it possible to train and improve [the left eye] so that I didn’t have to turn my whole body in order to look left? It all meant that in 50% of the times the ball came towards me my brain said: “Hey, I can’t really see that ball so I’m not going to jump for it."
Article link:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/19/per-mertesacker-book-extract-arsenal-academy-manager
Mertesacker
posted on 19/5/18
The youth players who were promoted to the first team smiled at these exercises. They thought we were meditating
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I can believe that. Misconceptions about yoga whilst they all walk past the yoga class with their oversized headphones on their head.
posted on 19/5/18
comment by Mr Chelsea. (U3579)
posted 6 minutes ago
The youth players who were promoted to the first team smiled at these exercises. They thought we were meditating
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I can believe that. Misconceptions about yoga whilst they all walk past the yoga class with their oversized headphones on their head.
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I certainly believe that there's more we can do to promote a healthy culture in our youth systems. Football is not an alternative to education.
posted on 19/5/18
Honestly don't think we could've made a better appointment for academy leader. A respected figure across the world and bags of experience.
posted on 19/5/18
Why exactly is this a voluntary practice? Surely it should be compulsory, especially with the younger players. They have the chance to add 5 years to their playing careers. Hopefully Merte will make it a condition of being there. "You don't want to do it? There's the door"
posted on 19/5/18
If you practice zero gravity yoga then you can increase your height.
posted on 19/5/18
Not surprising that no British player goes to yoga.
posted on 19/5/18
Nice article, being an entrepreneur I'm into self development stuff, this should be a given at a club like arsenal, many don't make it because of their mindset.
posted on 19/5/18
comment by Pep The Final Straw!! (Formerly WB2) (U8276)
posted 9 hours, 1 minute ago
Why exactly is this a voluntary practice? Surely it should be compulsory, especially with the younger players. They have the chance to add 5 years to their playing careers. Hopefully Merte will make it a condition of being there. "You don't want to do it? There's the door"
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Exactly