Mertesacker not settled at Arsenal

Arsenal’s summer signing Per Mertesacker has admitted that he has not yet settled at his new club, and is having some communication issues with his team-mates.

The Germany international signed for Arsene Wenger’s men from Werder Bremen in the recent transfer window, but has looked low on confidence in The Gunners’ poor start to the season.

Mertesacker has stated that he is still to adjust to his new environment, but feels this will come with time.

“I’ve only been gone a month from Germany. I have not yet properly acclimatised,” he told the German Football Association website.

“Sometimes it feels like an extended holiday. Only slowly am I starting to get used to the fact that the centre of my life is now actually in London.

“I have been living in England since the middle of September, but it doesn’t yet feel like home. I don’t have my own house or my own flat. There is a lack of anchor points which I already had in Germany. But that takes time, it’s normal.

“We have many new players, but I feel that we have integrated very quickly. I still have communication problems, but given the circumstances this is inevitable,” he concluded.

With vice-captain Thomas Vermaelen out injured currently, Mertesacker has had to assume additional responsibility immediately, and is yet to win over the Emirates faithful.

By Gareth McKnight