How could RVP hurt us like that? That's what Arsenal players asked when Van Persie left to join Man United

When Per Mertesacker explains the influence Robin van Persie had at Arsenal last season, there are some obvious points for the big German defender to make.

'Robin and Alex Song scored or assisted 75 per cent of our goals. That's massive', says Mertesacker.

Yet there is so much more to it than that. For Van Persie was more than a great goalscorer for the club. He was a clear leader for the players, organising the social evenings and Christmas parties, hiring karaoke machines to encourage new players such as Mertesacker to bond.

On the ball: Mertesacker is determined to help create a new spirit at Arsenal

So successful was he that he once persuaded Mertesacker on to the stage to cover a track by Rihanna on the karaoke. 'I can't really remember it!' says Mertsesacker, laughing. 'I just thought, "Let's get cracking and make it real fun".'

The bond established that year between the German and the Dutchman remains, despite Van Persie's £22.5million move to Arsenal's great rivals, Manchester United, last August. In the eight months since, Van Persie's performances for the new Premier League champions have shown not only what United have gained - but also what Arsenal have lost.

Mertesacker reveals that he voted for the Dutchman as the PFA's Player of the Year. 'Of course,' he says. 'He delivers every year.' Does he think that many of his Arsenal team-mates would have done likewise? 'Yes, I think so, because he was very respected.'

Today, though, comes a test for Arsenal. Not only are they playing United at home but there is also a reminder of what might have been as Van Persie make his return to The Emirates.

'We lost decisive players,' admits Mertesacker. 'And Robin started so well at United. We asked each other, "How can he behave like that and hurt us like that?" Because he scored decisive goals, right from the start.



Ride on time: Robin van Persie and his team-mates wait for the train to London on Saturday

'We spoke a lot of times about it when we travelled away and they (United) scored. It was like, "Another one! Another decisive one!" But then you imagine that it's our chance to show that he's not responsible for whole team; that he's gone now and he has another target with United.

'Straightaway our thoughts were, "We have to deal with it". We knew over the whole of last season he had rescued us a lot of times, scored a lot of goals at the end of the games, a lot of free-kicks.

'I think we replaced them (Barcelona's Song and Van Persie) well in terms of scoring goals. It's not only one player but three or four players who have scored 10 goals on average this season. What will be vital is to keep all the players that grew over the last year and learned a lot playing together. It could be vital to keep all of them - and maybe get some new players in.'

For the first time in years it seems Arsenal might achieve that this summer and emerge in August stronger rather than weaker. And it is Mertesacker's generation who have to create the new Arsenal spirit that they believe will see the club winning trophies again - though next year will mark a decade without a cup at the club if they fail.

Mertesacker, 28, who has 88 caps for Germany, is well placed to take up the mantle. He had an aunt who lived in Plymouth and he would visit England regularly as a child and take back Arsenal shirts as souvenirs.

'I was not like a real fan - it was hard to watch the Premier League or FA Cup from Germany - but there was a connection with the club always. Tony Adams was the idol. He grew up as a legend and Ian Wright was the star, because he scored the goals.



Top man: Van Persie was the clear leader at Arsenal

'I had the jersey with JVC on, one home one and the blue away one. Of course, I still have them. They're at home with my parents. They are unique for me. A lot of friends texted me when I moved here saying, "We remember you wore the Arsenal shirt when you were 12!" Because everyone wore shirts from abroad like Real Madrid, Barcelona but for me it was Arsenal.'

His younger brother, Timo, who picked up Manchester United shirts on those Devonian visits, has since been converted to Arsenal. Indeed, to such an extent that he travels to away games to watch his brother on the supporters' coaches and sits with away fans rather than in the directors' box.

'When we were young it was like a competition, we'd look to the Premier League to say who's first between United and Arsenal. We created a rivalry. But now it is completely Arsenal. He lives in Germany but he sometimes goes to away games, like to Wigan. He's obsessed completely by Arsenal. He wants to get the atmosphere so he goes in the away end and he travelled once by bus [with fans].'

There is one chant his brother must have picked up on. 'We've got a big, f****** German! Big f****** German!' sing the Arsenal fans of Mertesacker. Does Timo join in? 'I think so,' he says, laughing. 'Maybe it makes him proud!' Mertesacker is relaxed about it. 'I was quite afraid at first but now I understand everything,' he says. The words don't necessarily convey affection and adulation, unless you understand the roots of English terrace culture.

All smiles: The Germany international is mobbed after scoring for Arsenal against Fulham last weekend

'A German journalist based in London wrote something that said it's a declaration of love when they sing such a song for you,' adds Mertesacker.

'But it came very quickly,' he says, referring to the speed at which fans invented the chant and took him to their hearts.

'Maybe the fans always had the words to that song in their pocket, just in case there's a big guy coming from Germany and we need a son!'



The chant perhaps did come prematurely, at a time when his qualities were not so obvious. This is the man who was bought in the supermarket sweep of transfers the day after the 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford just 20 months ago. Shortly after he must have wondered what he had let himself in for as struggling Blackburn put four past an Arsenal defence he was part of; it looked a parody of the famous old back four which helped bring so much glory.

Head boy: Mertesacker has emerged as Arsene Wenger's No 1 choice at the heart of Arsenal's defence

'It was a strange first year to settle down,' he says. 'It took me maybe one year to use all the information to prepare myself mentally and physically for the league.'

Even London, which he now loves, seemed initially bewildering for the young man who had grown up in the small town of Pattensen in Germany, when he arrived with his girlfriend, Ulrike, an international handball player, and baby son Paul.

'It took a year to enjoy London and to settle down with the family, to go to the musicals and for our son to deal with English, with nursery.' He cites his uncertain start, team inconsistency and an ankle injury leading to three months' rehabilitation in Germany as reasons for problems then.

Competitively, life is better, too. He is first-choice centre-half having displaced club captain Thomas Vermaelen. 'That was a big trust in my person and my qualities,' he says of manager Arsene Wenger's decision. And since beating Bayern Munich 2-0 away from home, the club have taken 16 points from a possible 18.



Old team-mates: Mertesacker with Van Persie last season

He speaks fluent English and his grasp of the language was one of the reasons for playing in the Premier League. Indeed, he seems a natural student. He stayed on at school until he was 18 to complete his Abitur, the equivalent of A-Levels, despite being with Bundesliga side Hanover '96.

'I didn't want to lose my mind completely when I played football. [I was told], "Don't forget your education or your school life because that's what makes you feel grounded and speak to normal guys". That was so important. It was hard because the first team train in the morning so what can I do? But they said, "No, stay at school". Your brain needs information, especially at that age. It's good to prepare on the pitch but mentally as well.'

The Bundesliga, not even with a Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich looming, could tempt him back. 'I'm happy for all my German team-mates but I'm in a different situation,' he says. 'It's easier to handle in the dressing room and to tell them, "Germany's a good league and a good country". They believe it now!' London is home now. 'We are very happy here and we want to stay, maybe longer than we expected,' he says. All he needs is some trophies.



