Nicolas Anelka vs Per Mertesacker: Stats Compared
Striker, France (born 1979, retired 2015) · Centre-Back, Germany (born 1984, retired 2018)
Comparing Nicolas Anelka with Per Mertesacker means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. By the end Nicolas Anelka had 300 goals from 800 caps and club outings; Per Mertesacker had 15 from 550. The assist columns read 90 for Nicolas Anelka and 5 for Per Mertesacker where the record exists. In major honours Nicolas Anelka collected 4 — headlined by 2× Premier League (1998, 2010) — whereas Per Mertesacker amassed 4, led by 1× FIFA World Cup (2014). Across the turn of the millennium and the modern era respectively, their explosive and rugged styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. Their routes to the top were distinct: Nicolas Anelka built his reputation across Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Shanghai Shenhua, West Bromwich Albion, Mumbai City, peaking around 2009, while Per Mertesacker reached his defining level around 2014 after spells with Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, Arsenal. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
182 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
A supremely talented but nomadic French striker, Anelka won titles in four different countries, culminating in Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph.
“A quick, clinical striker with excellent movement in behind, though a reputation for a wandering, restless career.”
A towering, calm German centre-back nicknamed 'BFG' by Arsenal fans, Mertesacker started every match of Germany's triumphant 2014 World Cup campaign.
“A commanding, positionally intelligent centre-back whose reading of the game compensated for a lack of raw pace.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× Premier League (1998, 2010)
- 1× La Liga (2000)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2012)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2014)
- 3× FA Cup (2014, 2015, 2017)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1995 Professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain
- 1998 Won Premier League with Arsenal
- 2012 Won UEFA Champions League with Chelsea
- 2009 Reached the peak of his powers at Chelsea
- 2015 Retired after a final spell at Mumbai City
- Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 300 goals in 800 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 2001 Professional debut for Hannover 96
- 2014 Won FIFA World Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Won FA Cup with Arsenal
- 2014 Reached the peak of his powers at Arsenal
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Arsenal
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 550 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Nicolas Anelka takes it by a decisive margin.
Nicolas Anelka edges it (a decisive margin)
