Arsenal signing Per Mertesacker has revealed that he has always been fond of his new club.
The 26-year old German centre-half yesterday officially joined the Gunners from Bundesliga club Werder Bremenand says he used to be a fan of the North London club when he was younger.
"There is this emotional connection to Arsenal, since my youth, when I walked around in an Arsenal shirt," Mertesacker told reporters.
"The circle closes now. I think I will finally realise it, after the first training or when I walk out for the first time into the stadium.
"I'm very happy that the request came. I didn't think it would.
"When I was young I visited my aunt in England. As a football maniac you always brought back a shirt of course and I took the Arsenal kit. My brother took one of Manchester United.
"Since then I've always watched the Premier League and especially Arsenal. My connection to the club grew over the last 10 years.
I didn't think I'd play there someday, but I had this wish inside me. Back then I wouldn't believe that I would be a Gunner now.
"That this story becomes reality is fascination enough."
