Per Mertesacker believes the blend of characters in Arsenal’s “lively” dressing room has contributed to the team’s success this season.
The club's vice-captain has skippered the team regularly in 2015/16, including the last five games which have yielded four wins and a draw.
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Per Mertesacker adorns the front of January's Arsenal Magazine
Mertesacker says the whole squad is determined to end this season with silverware, insisting the players “want to dedicate our lives” to do just that.
“It’s not about me or anyone else, it’s about the club,” he told the Arsenal Magazine. “We want to dedicate our lives to that club, and that means more to me than just performing well individually.
“I think there are characters in the squad that just take care of their game and try not to lose energy, which is what you need.
“You always have different types of characters but my personal approach was always that I would feel good if things were put in place, were planned and were organised. I try to communicate well on and off the pitch so the lads know that when I say something it’s honest and it’s the truth.
“Everyone has their own personality and brings something to the team. Our dressing room is really lively.
“We have different characters and the young, talented players sometimes look up to the more experienced guys. In that case, I have a role to play.
“I do it in an honest way. Things that I learnt and grabbed during my career that I think are important would include being genuine to all the lads and treating everyone equally and differently.
“That’s something I try to do in the dressing room. There’s no hidden secret - I just try to contribute.”
Per Mertesacker
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