'Van Persie can produce the unexpected'

Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker is bracing himself for his first appearance at Old Trafford - and the chance to face Robin van Persie.

The Germany defender spent one season as Van Persie's team-mate before the Dutchman left for Manchester United and he hopes that his training ground experiences will help him win that key individual battle on Saturday.

"He’s very skilful and has movement you don’t expect," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

"We trained a lot in the last year together. Sometimes you feel comfortable to play against him, sometimes not. He’s one of the players where he has to feel that you are there all the time and that’s what we as a team have to do on Saturday. 

 

"In one way [training together helps], you expect his movement or you might anticipate his movement. He’s one of the players who can change his movements very quickly because he’s very skilful and has ability, we have seen it last year.

 

"But he’s not the only one who can score or be dangerous so it’s all about the team performance on Saturday.

"I’ve never played there before," added Mertesacker. "I think it’s a great experience to play against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"My expectations are to face a world-class squad, or world-class 11 and to see our chances. That’s what we try to point out in the days before the match and to find our good game on Saturday. We need everybody on the pitch to put in a good performance."

Arsenal