Arsenal's Mertesacker gives Germany Euro boost

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker is on course to anchor Germany's back four at Euro 2012 after impressing during the first day of the Germans' training camp in Sardinia on Saturday.

The 27-year-old centre-back has not played for the Gunners since February following ankle surgery, but he is on target to be fit when Germany open their Euro 2012 campaign against Portugal on June 9 in Lviv, Ukraine.

"He is incredibly focused, has worked hard and the European Championships have clearly made their impression on him," said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff from the team's camp at Porto Cervo in Sardinia.

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"Perhaps the only advantage to his injury was that it allowed him to concentrate on getting fit."

Mertesacker has made 79 appearances for his country and played a key role in the Germany teams which finished second at Euro 2008 and third at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Bierhoff also revealed Arsenal-bound striker Lukas Podolski is feeling the effects of Cologne's relegation from the German league last Saturday.

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"He is not yet over it," admitted Bierhoff.

"He is not moping around the hotel, but he is not yet back to playing the joker we all know, but I'm sure he will be back to his usual self soon."

Euro 2012 is held in Poland and the Ukraine from June 8 to July 1 and Germany have been drawn in Group B alongside the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark.

Man United to steal Vertonghen from Arsenal

Sir Alex Ferguson is making a desperate move to prevent Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen from joining a rival Premier League club, according to the Mirror.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains hopeful of clinching a £7 million deal for the Belgian defender, while Tottenham are also making a frantic bid to secure his services.

Now, Manchester United boss Ferguson is also tracking the centre-half.

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Emirates is the fancied destination of Vertonghen who is a close pal of Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

Wenger has been sending scouts to watch Vertonghen and is ready to complete a cut-price deal, as the player only has one year left on his contract.

But the late interest from United and Tottenham is a concern to Arsenal, who want to complement Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

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Vertonghen admits he has a tough decision to make.

He said: “I have to make a choice. There’s something going on with Tottenham, but there are more clubs interested in signing me.

“The most important thing for me is that I get regular playing time. Plus I need a stable environment.

“More and more clubs in England seem to realise that you can go a long way with ‘good football’.

"Arsenal started with it, and teams like Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester City are playing good football as well now.”

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