Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes the ‘doubts’ over Germany’s chances in the Euro 2016 will help the team to focus and perform.
The World Cup winners saw a number of key players retire after the tournament in Brazil, including Mertesacker, and they have taken time to gel again, reports the Arsenal website.
Arsenal’s vice-captain believes that the odds against Germany could play in their favour.
‘[Germany’s chances are] very promising,’ Mertesacker said.
‘The team has changed slightly because a few boys retired after the World Cup and it was a difficult qualification in general, but in the end we went through.’
Mertesacker insisted that all the doubts surrounding the German national team will only help them to focus on performing well during the tournament.
‘The Euros are a tough tournament and everyone needs to be fit and ready, so there’s always doubt. There’s always doubt in Germany and there always has been, even when I played,’ the German added.
‘It’s good when there are doubts because it keeps everyone going, keeps them focused, and Germany just gets going when the tournament is going on. That’s why I think we should be very comfortable going there and just performing as we have always done.’
The 31-year-old revealed that from a fans point of view, he expect the Euro 2016 tournament to be an exciting one.
‘There are some promising countries who have developed really well over qualification, so hopefully it’s going to be an exciting tournament. Even now, from an England perspective, there are lots of hopes,’ he said.
‘It’s going to be interesting so let’s see. That’s the beauty of it for me, to be able to able to go on holiday and have no pressure, just pressure as a fan to want the German side to win.’
Over the course of the 2015-16 season Mertesacker has appeared 36 time for Arsenal in all competitions.
