Per Mertesacker is a giant of a soccer player. Giants aren’t known for their agility.
That didn’t stop the 6-6 German from scoring his version of an overhead kick in Arsenal’s first preseason friendly of the new season on Thursday in Sydney, Australia.
The BFG’s goal overshadowed record-signing Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal debut. The French striker scored, but who needs a $60 million striker when you can throw Mertesacker in at forward?
@mertesacker puts us 1-0 up in with a bicycle kick #BFG #COYG pic.twitter.com/zYtFqxFE74
— Arsenal (@pollsArsenal) July 13, 2017
OK, so Mertesacker’s leg didn’t exactly get over his head, but it was at least four feet off the ground, so that’s over the head of half of Spain’s starting XI.
After the match the Arsenal captain said the goal was inspired by German legend Gerd Muller, who would have been proud of such a finish.
“It looked very slow,” Mertesacker said. “He was kind of my role model in that situation.”
Mertesacker showed savvy finishing in the box, something holdover Arsenal forwards Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott (sporting a questionable new hairdo) could not do.
Awful finishing in the 18 is why Lacazette was bought, and in the 68th minute he came on as part of a full-on line change for the Gunners.
It took the former Lyon forward 15 minutes to score his first Arsenal goal, calmly redirecting a cross from Alex Iwobi.
It only took 15 minutes - @LacazetteAlex has his first goal for @Arsenal
Watch the last few minutes https://t.co/W8t9lelbgp pic.twitter.com/Qy0iuaybe2— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 13, 2017
The Gunners traveled 10,500 miles to play the preseason exhibition and debut their new third kit.
Arsenal's upcoming season will be as rocky as this boat ride. Photo: @Arsenal | Twitter
The uniform itself is sleek (big fan of the pink on dark blue). Importantly, it retains the traditional Arsenal way-too-tight fit around the pecs, letting everyone know exactly how cold or excited the players are.
Oh, and Arsenal won the match 2-0 against A-League champion Sydney FC, despite fielding at one point or another six players with numbers ranging from 37-69.
The18 Recommends For You
