The nerves that come with big fixtures leave the Arsenal defender with his stomach in knots and his eyes watering
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has confessed that the pressure before big games can have an adverse effect on his stomach as he laid bare the "burden" of being a professional footballer.
The former Germany international, 33, is no stranger to the game's most important fixtures.
He was a part of the Germany team that lifted the World Cup in 2014, and also represented his nation in the two previous tournaments on home soil and in South Africa.