100% pass and tackle success: Arsenal's serene leader conducts another gritty win

Per Mertesacker wore the armband for Arsenal during their victory against Aston Villa. It suits him well: the German has become the undisputed leader of the Arsenal defence.

One part of Mertesacker’s game that is often overlooked is his exemplary distribution. His gangly frame means that his passing ability is often underrated. However, against Villa he completed 100% of his 42 attempted passes.

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By comparison, Villa’s centre-half and skipper Ron Vlaar completed just 83% of his attempted passes. Mertesacker’s ability to bring the ball out from the back has become a vital component of Arsenal’s passing game.

However, Mertesacker’s most important contribution was, unsurprisingly, on the defensive side.

At 6’6”, Mertesacker usually dominates in the air. However, in Christian Benteke, Aston Villa had someone capable of providing the German with stiff competition. Benteke is powerful with a great spring, and has the potential to rough up even the most solid defenders.

Nevertheless, Mertesacker triumphed over Benteke in a closely-fought aerial battle. The pair competed in seven aerial duels. Mertesacker won the majority, triumphing in four of the seven tussles.

However, Benteke did escape Mertesacker’s attention on one crucial occasion to head Villa back in to the game. As the goal went in, Mertesacker’s fury was evident to all. He flung an angry arm in the direction of Santi Cazorla, who had needlessly given away the ball in the build-up to the goal. A committed defender like Mertesacker does not appreciate such negligence.

However, when the Villa onslaught came, Mertesacker was ready. Arsenal’s giant defender made a remarkable 13 clearances throughout the game.

It’s not just in the air that Mertesacker impressed. He was superb on the ground too, winning 100% of his tackles.

After this win at Villa Park, Arsenal are back at the top of the table. If they are to continue this form until the end of the season, Mertesacker’s defensive heroics will surely prove vital.