Arsenal veteran set to continue, Gunners need to find their replacement

Arsenal veteran set to continue, Gunners need to find their replacement

Arsenal’s busy summer ahead will not see one veteran retire from football, despite previous suggestions, and World Cup winner Per Mertesacker will continue to be an option at the back for Arsene Wenger’s side.

The towering German centre-back only started one game this season, the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley, and accumulated just two appearances throughout the campaign as he battled a long-term injury problem.


With Arsenal having the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, Gabriel Paulista, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers as central defensive options, Mertesacker’s playing time next season is set to be limited once again but the Germn is preparing to make sure he’s available for selection next season- although he admitted he can no longer play three days a week.

In comments quoted by Goal, Mertesacker said:

“I will not stop immediately, I have a year on my contract and will definitely continue playing,”

Those comments came after he recently suggested he’ll end his playing career, as he previously stated:

“I was extremely lucky with my career and I want to finish on a high. I am motivated, but I cannot play every three days any more. I don’t want to stretch my luck.”

“I recently told him [Wenger] that I am tired, mentally wasted. The first time in my career I thought it makes no sense anymore, that I’ll retire. No matter how hard I practiced I didn’t get a chance.”

“At Arsenal you are replaceable so quickly as a player, I don’t want to stand in someone’s way. Winning the FA Cup was an brilliant ending which I could not expect. Arsenal want to keep hold of me and there are already talks. It will be in the business operations. I will stand on the other side.”

Mertesacker’s performance in the FA Cup final shows he is still useful for the Gunners but it’s clear he cannot be relied upon and Arsenal need to find their ideal long-term replacement, which could be young ace Rob Holding.

With Mertesacker having a wealth of competition for a first-team spot next season, it’s difficult to envisage him playing regularly. However, Arsenal will need him in their squad depth if they are to continue playing with a three-man defence.

If the Gunners revert back to a four-man defensive line then you can expect to not see much of Mertesacker next season but the captain remains an important figure behind the scenes, so he will be crucial for any success Arsenal are to enjoy.