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. #TBGPODPLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EPISODE WAS RECORED BEFORE THE NORWICH GAMETimestamps 0:00 TBG Intro0:15 Guest Intro2:24 Per defines his role at Arsenal4:24 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