SORRY BOSS
Players must take blame for Wenger exit says skipper
PER MERTESACKER says Arsenal’s players have to share the blame for Arsene Wenger’s departure.
The German World Cup winner accepts the current squad have to take responsibility for the club falling behind.
Mertesacker led a dressingroom rallying cry after Wenger’s announcement on Friday, insisting they must give him a glorious farewell.
The Gunners’ club captain said: “We sit here in one boat and have not been that successful over the past couple of years. We won trophies, we won the FA Cup, but in terms of achieving Champions League football every season, we have not done it.
“In terms of top-four finishes, we are not able to achieve it this season. We have been outperformed by other teams and you have to admit that.
“There are a lot of people responsible, not only the manager. It has not sunk in enough to say we are guilty, but we are responsible as well.
“The message he gave to the team was that we want to win every single game and leave in style. We, as players, gave immediate feedback that we feel the responsibility to fight for him every time we step on the field.
“The team responded to his announcement fairly quickly. Everyone was surprised and sad. We had an atmosphere that we want to do it for you to send you off in the best possible way.”
Mertesacker, who will take over the academy next season after he retires as a player, says the perfect leaving gift would be a trophy.
He added: “We do not have any present planned. The best thing for him is to win games. He made it very clear to us that the target now is to win the Europa League and every match we face.
“We have to respect Atletico. They have reached Champions League finals in recent years so we need to respect, especially Thursday’s home game. I would love not to concede in that game to put ourselves in the best possible position.”