Injury won’t stop Per from making presence felt

Jack Wilshere has backed Per Mertesacker to step up in his new role as Arsenal skipper even if the German defender won’t be wearing the captain’s armband any time soon.

Previous skipper Mikel Arteta retired at the end of last season, before joining rivals Manchester City on their coaching staff, with Arsene Wenger plumping for Mertesacker as his replacement.

However the former Germany international is currently on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and is not expected to be back on the pitch before the end of the year.

Being without their captain should be nothing new for the Gunners, with Arteta failing to make a single Premier League start last season, and Wilshere believes that Mertesacker can make his presence felt regardless of whether he plays or not.

(David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“It is good news for us. For me anyway, over the last few seasons he has been like a captain,” Wilshere said.

“He is a natural leader and I know he has picked up an injury, but he can still bring so much to us as a team. I’m sure if you ask the other boys, they will say he would be an obvious choice for captain. We are happy.

“He is organised, and he won’t take any nonsense from anyone. If someone is late or on their phone, he is on to them – it doesn’t matter who you are. He is the one who organises our team dinners so for me he is a great choice.

“Without the captain on the pitch – I know he will be around in the dressing room – but without him on the pitch we are all going to need to step up as individuals and as a team,” he said.

“I think we have got the players to do that. We have a few players in our team who are natural leaders so I think we will be alright.”