Arsenal's Per Mertesacker: I need to improve to keep up with the pace of the Premier League

Posted Saturday, October 22, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits he needs to "improve" his game to adapt to life in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old joined the Gunners from Werder Bremen during the summer transfer window but has struggled to keep up with the intensity of the league. The German international believes he is improving but concedes that he was taken aback by the physicality of the League.

"I have to improve," he told BBC Sport. "It's hard work to do important games for the club every three or four days, that is very physical. I have to take my time but I am improving very quickly."

The towering central defender praised the Premier League, despite his difficulties settling into its physicality.

"The best players in the world play in the Premier League and therefore it is the best league," Mertesacker said. "The English people in [Euro] 1996 said 'Football's Coming Home' and that's branded in my mind - that football comes from England.

"I thought the atmosphere was great but if you're standing on the pitch and you see all the supporters around you it is a great feeling to be a player here."

The 6-foot-6 center-back was plunged straight into the heart a shaky Arsenal team at the start of the season because of injuries, but now feels he is acclimatizing.

"It was a critical moment for the club but I didn't feel that because if everything is new and you are a new player, everything is exciting," he said. "But if you are new you want to help the team, settle in quick, adapt quick. Every player has a big responsibility here."