Arsene Wenger has confirmed Per Mertesacker as the stick which holds his Arsenal defense together, writes John Cross. German large Mertesacker has appeared as the Gunners' first option centre-half, and manager Wenger thinks the 28-year-old may play with either Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen. While that set can struggle when utilized in combination, Mertesacker makes both of them look good - even when his or her own 6ft 7in framework can look deeply difficult. Wenger welcomes Mertesacker is not always easy on the eye but claims he epitomises German performance. In front of Saturday's visit to Fulham, Wenger said: aHe mixes effectively with both Vermaelen and Koscielny. They're good relationships. He's much more 'positional play.' "I have three good centre-backs. I canat be wrong when I come to a decision, because all three deserve to enjoy. "Maybe he's less sophisticated and the visual impression is less attractive, but he is successful and intelligent.a Wenger also managed striker Olivier Giroud, despite his midweek overlooks which charge Champions League-chasing Arsenal two useful points against Everton. Giroud has scored 17 goals in most contests in his debut season of English football, but the Frenchman continues to be struggling to make an impression on the doubters. Wenger added: "He gave a whole lot so far and for his first time he's doing very well because he's an excellent perspective, a positive head. "He gives another aspect to us with the physical issues in the air. He has scored 17 goals in all games, 11 in the league - for a first season that's very good. Just the start: Wenger wants Giroud to construct on 17-goal introduction season Getty "He has great physical potential, Olivier. He really wants to play every single game, he's an excellent standard endurance and the games can be absorbed by him. The body can be absorbed by "he to body contact, since heas a solid guy. I think you'll see more from him next time, and thereas a lot more to come from him. aHe is quite extrovert and includes a good character. He really wants to do well - he is eager to accomplish well - and is not usually the one who hides after. "He stands up for what he's done and I believe he deals quite nicely with that." V = Vermaelen, M = Mertesacker, E = Koscielny V AAAAAA M AAAAAA K Shows AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 26 AAAAA 29 AAAAA 20 Minutes on message AAAAAAAAA 2234 A 2578 A 1223 Whole fights produced AAAAAAAA 43 AAAAA 23 AAAAA 33 Last-man saving tacklesAA 7 AAAAAAA 7 AAAAAAA 5 Tackles AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 81 AAAA 70 AAAAAA to won dealing with a 79 Photographs plugged AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 18 AAAA 16 AAAAAAA 4 Interceptions AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 47 AAAA 44 AAAAAA 28 Full clearances made AA 130 AA 141 AAAAA 94 Clearances per 90 minsA 5.24 A 4.92 AAA 6.92 Headed clearances AAAAAAAAA 76 AAAA 82 AAAAAA 55 Whole fouls committed AAAA 20 AAA 11 AAAAAA 13 Martin Jol hopes to boost a with Arsene Wenger following the full-time whistle at Craven Cottage. Fulham manager Jol and Arsenal counterpart Wenger have not generally seen Aeye-to-eye a' stemming back again to the formeras days with the Gunners' arch-rivals Tottenham. But those issues are, obviously, all in the past, with Jol holding no grudge against the Frenchman. In front of Saturday's London derby, said: aI might say five out of 10 times (the administrators drink together ),. "Sometimes you've to complete stuff with press, or my staff is anywhere and you canat get, or the kids are waiting. "I think Wenger and I only had one drink and that was in my own Spurs time a it was at AHighbury. aBefore the match, managers usually say, 'Following the match we will have a drink .' That is a standard term. "It occurs sometimes and sometimes it wonat.a Fulham are seeking to bounce right back from Wednesdayas 3-0 beat to Chelsea, which found the Blues leapfrog Arsenal to get third in the dining table since the clubs' three-way scrap with Spurs for struggle for Champions League certification continues. Jol will have midfielder Steve Sidwell available for choice after he served a three-game ban for his sending-off against Queens Park Rangers. The Dutchman has also spoken to Sidwell about extending his stay at the Cottagers beyond 2014, when his recent offer finishes. Amazement want him to stay," proved Jol. It is always liked by "i when participants, even when they're maybe not playing, stay positive. aAfter Mousa Dembele left [for Spurs last summer], I wanted him [Sidwell]. He was possibly the only player I had from the season before. "Heas a character and wants to train additional for another game. He's prepared for the game and there's no hesitation or doubt he was before.a that he will be the same
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