Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has stated his belief that the English Premier League is better than Germany’s Bundesliga and asked for patience from the Gunners faithful as he gets to grips with the pace and power of the top flight.

 

The giant centre back arrived from Werder Bremen in the summer to bolster Arsenal’s defensive options – and though he has made errors, Mertesacker has looked an imposing figure in Arsene Wenger’s backline.

 

Much more, according to the 27-year-old, is to come as he begins to settle into English football.

 

"I’m feeling good and I think that’s the best thing", the German told Arsenal’s official site.

 

"It was quite a short time for me to settle in and make the transfer happen – it was very close to the deadline so it was a tough month for me", he added.

 

The former Werder Bremen star also indicated that life in England is harder than Germany.

 

"I think in England the best players in the world are here.

 

"They have a lot of strength, a lot of speed, it doesn’t compare to the Bundesliga.

 

"The technical [ability] is similar, but the speed and the physical power is different.

 

"If you have no pre-season with the team that makes it more difficult. People think it’s easy to connect with your club, your team-mates, but it takes time."

 

And Mertesacker promised better is to come.

 

"It’s getting better and better and hopefully I can keep improving now. Let me play a season and you can get [the full picture] of my personality and ability as a footballer."

 

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