He’ll chase you down: Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker (Picture: Action Images)

Arsene Wenger has revealed the reasoning behind appointing Per Mertesacker the chief fine collector at Arsenal – because Germans are considered to be good with money.

The Gunners boss has entrusted towering centre back Mertesacker to collect fines from misbehaving players who break any of the club rules, which are posted on the walls of their London Colney base in black and white.

And speaking at his latest press conference, Wenger revealed the simple reasoning behind appointing the defender as the debt collector.

‘The Germans do well economically and we respect that,’ said Wenger.


‘They are the only ones who make money in Europe!’



The list was leaked after a fan, who was treated to a behind-the-scenes look at Arsenal’s state of the art training facility by club doctor Gary O’Driscoll, posted a series of images from his visit, including the Gunners’ fine sheet.

The list of misdemeanours which result in a penalty being dished out range from being late to training to taking a phone call anywhere in the building.

Gunners stars are also forbidden to bring newspapers into the dressing room or medical areas, and non-attendance of unused players on match days result in the maximum fine of £1000.

Clamping down: Arsene Wenger (Picture: Reuters)

OFFENCE and FINE

Non-attendance of unused players at Home matches without permission of manager: £1000

Late for training: < 15 mins £250 , > 15 mins £500

, > 15 mins Late for treatment/massage: < 15 mins £250 , > 15 mins £500

, > 15 mins Late for travel: £500

Late for match day meetings / meals: £250

Wrong kit on match days: £100

Inappropriate clothing outside of the dressing room: £100

Outdoor shoes in the dressing room: £100

Newspapers, laptops and phones in the medical room: £100

Newspapers in dressing room: £100

Non production of urine sample for two consecutive weeks: £200

Phone calls in the building (texting allowed): £500

Not participating in commercial activities (including Club Day): £500

All fines are payable to Mertesacker, and anyone not coughing up within seven days has their bill doubled.

The pictures also revealed a shot of Wenger’s tactics board, which showed Lukas Podolski would not feature for the Gunners’ game at Chelsea.

An Arsenal spokesman told The Sun: ‘The pictures are genuine. We understand that they were taken by a friend of a member of staff during a private visit to the training ground.

‘The manager was made aware of the picture being published and we are very disappointed. We will review our procedures.’