Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has hailed his German compatriot Per Mertesacker as the perfect role model, after suggesting he has an attitude that inspires those around him.
Mertesacker is vice-captain at Arsenal, but he may well lead Arsene Wenger's side into battle on numerous occasions in the upcoming season as club skipper Mikel Arteta may not be assured of a starting spot in every game.
In the opinion of one of his fellow German World Cup winners, Arsenal have a fine leader in waiting in experienced defender Mertesacker, as Ozil suggested the 30-year-old defender rallies those around him when the going gets tough.
"I always see Per as a role model," Arsenal's record signing told the club's website. "He always gives everything for the team, you can see that he's determined and wants to be successful. You can sense that on the pitch.
"He's very focused, very professional. He does his job 100 percent. He's not the sort of person who does things by half measures.
"He's rather the sort of person who, if he has something in his head, wants to see it through. He looks after himself and his diet, and before matches he does his exercises to make sure that he stays fit and doesn't pick up any injuries.
"You can see on the pitch that he's fresh and is always there for everyone. We're just really pleased to have him and you can sense on the pitch that he gives everything for the team."
While Mertesacker is a calming influence on the field, he has confirmed that there are occasional arguments from members of Arsene Wenger's squad, as he spoke to fans at Emirates Stadium.
"There are a lot [of arguments], but we need to forget about what happened on the pitch at the end of the game and in the dressing room after it's fine again," said Mertesacker.
"We don't take it into the dressing room and that is very important. If you shout at someone, you leave it on the pitch. That's the place for emotions so it's good to argue on the pitch, and it's good to have different opinions, but when you leave the pitch you need to forget about it."