The Beautiful Game Podcast - Episode 114 - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PER MERTESACKER - We discussed the career of #Arsenal Legend and now academy manager Per #Mertesacker with the man himself. We spoke about his current role, being a leader, Mikel #Arteta and the pressure of being at Arsenal, this summers transfer recruitment, working closely with Edu, Seeing the Hale End boys shine, Arse + much more. #TBGPOD PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE WAS RECORED BEFORE THE NORWICH GAME Timestamps 0:00 TBG Intro 0:15 Guest Intro 2:24 Per defines his role at Arsenal 4:24 How does it feel to see the Hale End boys doing so well? 6:20 Do you have a quota to bring through a specific amount of young players? 9:45 How do you develop footballers as people? (eg social media) 13:40 Do you see this role as a natural progression in your career? 17:22 What type of character were you in the dressing room? 21:35 Do you still get the bug to play football? 24:40 What do you make of the transfer window and the current situation at Arsenal? 27:48 What qualities does Mikel Arteta bring to the table? 31:55 How closely do you work with Edu? 35:15 What do you think of Arsenal's summer transfer window? What do you have to say to the Arsenal fans that are not buying into the vision? 39:40 Are the current crop of players good enough to get you into the top4? 41:34 What do you have to say to fans that don't trust the process? 44:00 What is the succession plan at the club? (Buj references Leicester) 47:13 How do you know when a player is ready for the first team? 49:45 How was your time as Assistant Manager when you were working with Freddie? 51:57 What did you think of the ESL? 53:32 What do you think of key figures behind the scenes leaving the football club - do AFC still have that identity? 55:42 Tell us about Per the man