Mertesacker reveals the secrets behind Wenger's anti-ageing programme

The Germany international has praised his coach's continual thirst for improvement after making several tweaks on the training ground.Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has introduced new training methods to ensure his side stay one step ahead of their competition.Wenger, 65, is preparing his side for Saturday's FA Cup final against Aston Villa after leading them to third place in the Premier League and with it an automatic spot in the next edition of the Champions League.
The Frenchman had to face angry fans at Stoke train station last December following a bruising defeat in the Potteries which left the club seventh in the table and 13 points behind Chelsea.But Mertesacker believes the club's subsequent good form has put the manager on safer ground: I have witnessed it several times that there were questions about the manager in public, he told Kicker. That is quite normal at a club that goes for the league title. But we responded well with some results. By doing so, not only the team but also the coach is in a much better position.Wenger, who took over from Bruce Rioch at Arsenal 19 years ago, is the oldest manager in the Premier League, though Mertesacker suggests he still has plenty of energy.Asked if his manager is tiring, the World Cup winner replied: "Not at all. And it is not like he sticks to his old methods. He changed some things by bringing in new players and by changing his behaviour. He changed his coaching staff, he acquired some fresh, young people. The video analysis has changed. In the summer, Shad Forsythe came in from the [Germany] national team as the new fitness coach. Those are examples that prove that he is open to new things and that he takes advice. One of his strengths he has never lost in all those years: his charisma. He is calm at the centre of it all - that's what he brings across.