Perry Groves criticises Per Mertesacker for missing Arsenal academy game against Tottenham to watch NBA in London – That isnt right!

Perry Groves criticises Per Mertesacker for missing Arsenal academy game against Tottenham to watch NBA in London – That isnt right!
Perry Groves has criticised Arsenals academy director Per Mertesacker for missing his Under-18s sides huge clash against Tottenham to watch the NBA in London.The Young Gunners faced their north London rivals in the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night at home, and came from behind twice to win the game 5-2 after extra-time.But former defender Mertesacker, appointed as the clubs academy boss last season, was not in the stands to watch the mini-derby victory.The German decided to miss the game to be a pundit for DAZN at the o2 Arena, as the Washington Wizards beat the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA London Game.

Jedes Jahr ein Highlight: das NBA London Game . Fr mich das erste Mal fr @DAZN_DE als Experte. Ich freu mich drauf! pic.twitter.com/GtCc1FMIDz— Per Mertesacker (@mertesacker) January 17, 2019

2

Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were also in attendance at the NBA in London

And two-time title winner Groves was not impressed and accused Mertesacker of disrespecting the club and his role with its young players.Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White, the former Arsenal winger said: Ive been very complementary about Unai Emery coming in and changing the culture and mentality at Arsenal. It was a bit too comfortable under Arsene Wenger.But something happened last night that, as an Arsenal fan, doesnt sit right with me and made me think, I hope were not slipping back.Im a big fan of Per Mertesacker and when he was appointed as the academy director I thought it was fantastic. We want ex-players coming back, hes a proven winner and that winning mentality is going to show these young players what it takes to be a top class footballer, the sacrifice you have to make, putting 100 per cent focus on your football.Now, there was a massive game for Arsenals Under-18s last night against Spurs in the FA Cup. You would expect Mertesacker, as academy director, to be at the game but apparently there was a more important game for him to watch Washington Wizards against the New York Knicks in the NBA in London.I thought someone had made it up that wouldnt happen, he wouldnt do that.But then you find out he hasnt only gone to watch it, hes actually a pundit! Hes being paid to be a pundit on the basketball!That cant be right! It cant be right that your academy director is watching a basketball game that means nothing to him and is getting paid instead of watching Arsenals Under-18s.Its a massive game too, a derby against Spurs, but actually it doesnt matter what game it is. I dont care if it was against Enfield Under-18s.Hes getting paid by Arsenal to oversee everything that goes on at academy level. Hes getting paid to be 100 per cent committed, but that shows hes not 100 per cent committed.2

Mertesacker hung up his boots at the end of last season and became head of Arsenal’s academy

Everyone knows I work for Arsenal and I might get in trouble for saying this, but this cannot be right.Hes not doing his job!He cant demand 100 per cent commitment from his players if hes off watching the basketball. If he goes in his spare time when there are no games on, happy days.But if youre watching the basketball instead of watching your own players, you cant be doing your job with 100 per cent focus.Say what you want about Arsene Wenger when he wanted to make Thierry Henry the Under-18s coach and Henry still wanted to work for Sky, Wenger quite rightly said, no, you dont do both, and that was right.Im not saying Mertesacker should be sacked. But its surprising for me that someone as experienced as him made that decision to go and Im surprised he was allowed to go.

Listen to Perry Groves criticism of Per Mertesacker IN FULL above

---

Leeds United and Bristol City fans won't be happy with this predicted Championship table. A supercomputer has predicted how the Championship will finish where every single Championship side is

---

AARON RAMSEY will earn £300,000-a-week at Juventus and become the second-highest paid British footballer of all time, reports claim. The Welshman, 28, is in the last six months of his Arsenal contract and was free to negotiate with other clubs as of January 1.
Aaron Ramsey hits jackpot with £300k a week Juventus move

---

Everton defender Michael Keane on why he rejected Manchester United ahead of Old Trafford return: 'I wasn't as big a fan as I had been' Sunday but had the chance to join United in the summer
pogba Archives | Latest News, Latest football transfer news

---

With chants of "you don't know what you're doing" aimed at Maurizio Sarri when Chelsea were a goal down against Cardiff, the Italian says he is getting used to it.
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri asked if he will RESIGN - This

---

Adam Smith is set for three months out after Bournemouth discovered his knee injury was less severe than first feared. The versatile defender went down holding his right knee after feigning to
Update given on Smith injury - afcb.co.uk

---

Leeds United vs Derby County: Frank Lampard recalls his

---

How Manchester United could line up vs Paris Saint-Germain with nine first team players out. Man Utd are in the midst of an injury crisis with up to 10 players expected to miss the game against
Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester United - msn.com

---

Wayne Rooney: Manchester United legend rolls back the years with DC United man grabbing first MLS hat-trick in Real Salt Lake thrashing Sunday, 17 March 2019 Wayne Rooney notched his first Major League Soccer hat-trick as DC United thrashed Real Salt Lake 5-0 on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney scores his first MLS hat-trick as DC United

---

Petrov was signed in the summer of 1999 by John Barnes for a fee of £2.8 million. The teenager featured prominently in a season where he won the League Cup with Celtic, his second major honour and the first of many with Celtic.
Sutton, it's a mismatch, it's not a contest - Celtic News Now

---

LIVE: Wild celebrations from Liverpool FC fans in city centre as Reds reach Champions League final. Blue and Red scarves all around the city as Catalan giants come to town

---

Ander Herrera: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs midfielder to give

---