Per Mertesacker has revealed that he often leaves the dressing room early at training as, if there’s anything to discuss with the coaches, this is when he does it.

Per explained recently how he feels it’s important to talk to the coaches if there are any issues and, if there’s something he as captain wants to discuss, he’ll do so in the short window of time before the session starts.

The skipper has signed up to become the head of Arsenal’s academy once his playing contract runs out at the end of the season, which is why it’s pretty handy that he’s comfortable talking to the coaches ahead of training sessions.

It’s also, as the 32-year-old points out, good for the captain to set the tone and show his teammates, as well as younger players, that he wants to kick on with training.

I doubt a leader who wanted to sit around in the dressing room chatting all day would be very effective.

Fortunately, Per’s not that guy, and Arsene Wenger obviously doesn’t mind the pre-training discussions as the Frenchman believes the German is a brilliant leader, even referring to him as “a fantastic example for any young professional football player” after Arsenal’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea back in May.

Hopefully, even when the centre-back is in charge of the younger players at the Gunners’ academy in future, the current first team can follow his example.