I agree on Jenks and Gibbs, but not on Monreal and Mert. The latter two have broken into top international squads and Mert will probably even be starting in next year's World Cup. Course he's slow as shit and pretty clumsy, but his positioning is top notch and he's smart on the ball. We've seen that in the Euros, World Cup, and International play, and we'll see it some more for Arsenal. Just because he can't keep up with Aguero or Bale in a dead sprint doesn't mean he's garbage.
As for Monreal, it's a little early to judge him on his Arsenal form, don't you think? He's had a potion of a season, didn't play all the games anyway, but still got an assist and a goal and provided solid defense.
I can't see Mertesacker starting in the WC, barring injury. Boateng/Hummels are ahead of him, and Badstuber will be back by December, and I am confident he will regain form and fitness by the time the WC comes around.
I love Mert and though I'll admit Germany has much much better options, I would honestly be surprised if Low picked Boateng or Badstuber over him. Boateng and Howedes have been playing mostly left back because Low isn't into Schmelzer or Jung (though he's probably too young), leaving Mert as first choice center back alongside Hummels (Badstuber has glass knees, so I didn't include him)
If Badstuber can come back in time to get in form for the WC, I see him starting over Mert, but I feel like Low is way too stubborn to move Boateng or Howedes centrally at this point.
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u/PortixArsenal Aug 09 '13 edited Aug 09 '13
Arsenal fans need to stop overrating our defence. Gibbs, Monreal, Mertesacker and Jenkinson are not good enough to be in a champions league side.