Koscielny praises Arsenal teammate Per

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has praised his team mate Per Mertesacker. The duo have struck up an excellent partnership in recent months as the Gunners have gone 10 games unbeaten in the league.

"(Mertesacker and I) play well together as a pair," Koscielny said. "We communicate on the pitch well.


"His experience is vital and it helps us work together on the pitch, so we try and talk to each other a lot and it is important at the back to have an understanding.


"Per is a very good player. He reads the ball well. He is clever, attacks the ball and wins headers whereas I can go behind and be quick and cope with the long balls.


"He is good technically so he is good for the defence. Per is calm on the pitch.


"He is good for me, he uses his experience, this helps me, and he helps the team."