Back to the Arsenal Newsfeed

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker pays emotional tribute to manager Arsene Wenger: 'I’m very grateful and humble for the opportunity he gave to me'

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has paid an emotional tribute to manager Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman announced he will finally leave the club this summer.

Wenger shocked his players on Friday morning by announcing he will finally step down after 22 years in charge completely out of the blue at the club's London Colney training base.

In an interview filmed moments after hearing the news, Mertesacker hailed Wenger's time in charge and thanked him for bringing him to North London as well as giving him the captaincy while out injured almost two years ago.