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

---

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful the Red Devils will keep hold of midfielder Ander Herrera amid speculation Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the Spaniard. "We want
Ander Herrera backs Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 'tough job' at

---

Tottenham new stadium latest: Spurs train at £1billion ground for first time Harry Kane and co will begin life at their new home with the visit of Crystal Palace next Wednesday Video
~ Tottenham new stadium latest: Spurs to train at £1billion

---

Frank Lampard is enjoying his debut season as a manger Facebook - The Kings Head Town. And a bar bill doing the rounds on social media claims Frank Lampard's squad racked up a £2,800 bill in the King's Head, Duffield. A picture of the receipt 65 shots of Grey Goose vodka, 54 Sambucas and 38 tequilas as well as five bottles of Prosecco.
Derby County 3-1 West Bromwich Albion: Frank Lampard's Rams

---

Danny Murphy clashes with journalist who asked Pep Guardiola

---

And the @RealBetis fans have given him an ovation and have chanted 'Messi, Messi, Messi' Barcelona playing away — Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) March 17, 2019 Worldie free kick for his first… ⚽️ Scores his brace… Completes hattrick with a chip on the edge of 18 yard box… Betis fans stand up and applaud, chanting "Messi

---

Haris Belkebla axed from Algeria's Africa Cup of Nations squad… for flashing his bum on Fortnite live stream; Ed Woodward 'to remain in charge of Manchester United's transfers' as sporting director appointment scrapped; Chris Kamara joins David Beckham, Vinnie Jones and Pele in swapping the pitch for the screen
Algeria's Haris Belkebla Kicked Out Of AFCON Squad After

---

QPR transfer news: Fans' favourite Adel Taarabt will NOT be returning to Loftus Road this month Written by: fpnews Posted on: January 4, 2019 Adel Taarabt will not be rejoining his former side QPR in this transfer window after reports linked the Moroccan with a return to Loftus Road.
Why one QPR favourite believes audacious move for Adel

---

John Motson: Broadcasting legend appearing on stage in London

---

Tottenham defender Danny Rose has been grateful for the support he received in the wake of comments he made last week about his future in the game. He had said he 'can't wait' to quit football.
Tottenham defender Rose grateful for support after talk of

---

Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss charged by Football Association for improper conduct after outburst against referee Mike Dean Written by: fpnews Posted on: February 26, 2019 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been hit with an Football Association charge for improper conduct following his side's loss at Burnley last weekend.
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct

---

Richard Keogh: Derby County defender prepared to play with

---

It was the sight no Arsenal fan wanted to see: Aaron Ramsey limping off the pitch in The Juventus-bound midfielder was supposed to bow out Arsenal certainly need their star playmaker more
Arsenal vs Newcastle confirmed team news: Pierre-Emerick

---

Tottenham are reportedly planning a move for departing Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri - if Mauricio Pochettino quits the club this summer.
Spurs 'eye Massimiliano Allegri' as Juventus 'chase Mauricio Pochettino

---

Jordan Pickford still deserves to be England no.1 despite Everton mistakes, Ben Foster tells talkSPORT Wednesday, 20 March 2019 Ben Foster believes Jordan Pickford still deserves his place as England number one despite his questionable form with Everton.
Ben Foster: 0 stars on RateIt - Celebrity and Famous Ratings

---

West Bromwich Albion Sheffield United live score (and video online live stream*) starts on 23.2.2019. at 17:30 UTC time at The Hawthorns stadium, West Bromwich, England in Championship - England. Here on SofaScore livescore you can find all West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield United previous results sorted by their H2H matches. Links to West
Full coverage and free stream for Steel City Derby - SportsAlert
sportsalert.org/2019/03/04/full-coverage-and-free-stream-for-steel-city-derby/
Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield United: How to listen. We will have in-depth coverage of the match on talkSPORT 2, with our build-up beginning at 7pm. Nigel Adderley and Simon Grayson will be on commentary duty and to tune in click here for the live stream or the radio player below.
talkSPORT coverage of Aston Villa vs Derby: Championship play

---