As another season draws to a close, Arsenal can look back with pride on a campaign that offers genuine cause for optimism.
Per Mertesacker was a near ever-present throughout 2014/15, and here he explains some of his defining moments from the past 10 months.
November 2014: Players returning from injury
Arsenal’s sluggish start to the season was further disrupted in its early stages as Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny were all sidelined for extended periods.
But between November and January, all three returned and hit the ground running to help generate some much-needed momentum. Ozil in particular was revitalised, visibly more physically robust after his spell out as he delivered consistently outstanding displays. It would prove a key period in the season.
“We needed them desperately,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player. “We looked a bit frustrated with all the injuries we got, and it was a big blow during the first couple of months. We tried to create energy with new boys coming in like Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin, but you want to have senior squad players back on track and in form, too. It took a while to get them back but we were all really pleased to have them available again.”
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