Perry Groves criticises Per Mertesacker for missing Arsenal academy game against Tottenham to watch NBA in London – That isnt right!
Perry Groves has criticised Arsenals academy director Per Mertesacker for missing his Under-18s sides huge clash against Tottenham to watch the NBA in London.The Young Gunners faced their north London rivals in the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night at home, and came from behind twice to win the game 5-2 after extra-time.But former defender Mertesacker, appointed as the clubs academy boss last season, was not in the stands to watch the mini-derby victory.The German decided to miss the game to be a pundit for DAZN at the o2 Arena, as the Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA London Game.Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were also in attendance at the NBA in London2
Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were also in attendance at the NBA in London
And two-time title winner Groves was not impressed and accused Mertesacker of disrespecting the club and his role with its young players.Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White, the former Arsenal winger said: Ive been very complementary about Unai Emery coming in and changing the culture and mentality at Arsenal. It was a bit too comfortable under Arsene Wenger.But something happened last night that, as an Arsenal fan, doesnt sit right with me and made me think, I hope were not slipping back.Im a big fan of Per Mertesacker and when he was appointed as the academy director I thought it was fantastic. We want ex-players coming back, hes a proven winner and that winning mentality is going to show these young players what it takes to be a top class footballer, the sacrifice you have to make, putting 100 per cent focus on your football.Now, there was a massive game for Arsenals Under-18s last night against Spurs in the FA Cup. You would expect Mertesacker, as academy director, to be at the game but apparently there was a more important game for him to watch Washington Wizards against the New York Knicks in the NBA in London.I thought someone had made it up that wouldnt happen, he wouldnt do that.But then you find out he hasnt only gone to watch it, hes actually a pundit! Hes being paid to be a pundit on the basketball!That cant be right! It cant be right that your academy director is watching a basketball game that means nothing to him and is getting paid instead of watching Arsenals Under-18s.Its a massive game too, a derby against Spurs, but actually it doesnt matter what game it is. I dont care if it was against Enfield Under-18s.Hes getting paid by Arsenal to oversee everything that goes on at academy level. Hes getting paid to be 100 per cent committed, but that shows hes not 100 per cent committed.Mertesacker hung up his boots at the end of last season and became head of Arsenal’s academy2
Mertesacker hung up his boots at the end of last season and became head of Arsenal’s academy
Everyone knows I work for Arsenal and I might get in trouble for saying this, but this cannot be right.Hes not doing his job!He cant demand 100 per cent commitment from his players if hes off watching the basketball. If he goes in his spare time when there are no games on, happy days.But if youre watching the basketball instead of watching your own players, you cant be doing your job with 100 per cent focus.Say what you want about Arsene Wenger when he wanted to make Thierry Henry the Under-18s coach and Henry still wanted to work for Sky, Wenger quite rightly said, no, you dont do both, and that was right.Im not saying Mertesacker should be sacked. But its surprising for me that someone as experienced as him made that decision to go and Im surprised he was allowed to go.

Listen to Perry Groves criticism of Per Mertesacker IN FULL above


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