Per Mertesacker

You learn a lot from defeats. As well, you need to learn from victories.

It is not only the skilful players who can make the difference in a game. It is as well players who just try to stick to their qualities and give absolutely everything.

I invested a lot in my fitness.

I've played for 15 years and played in five major tournaments. I know what it gives me in terms of the joy, in terms of the love for the game. But I'm done with it.

There's always that mental battle, who's going to have that confidence to be on the front foot.

Arsene Wenger was always the kind of manager whose belief in his team's qualities was steady as a rock and who approached matters with never-ending patience.

Things can change very fast in football.

I want to show on the training pitch that I am ready whenever the manager needs me.

You never stop working, you never stop doing things because there's someone behind you - in a respectful way - who is giving absolutely everything in every single training session.

First and foremost, Wenger saw us as human beings and he had a lot of faith in us, which is why he stood by us.

The heritage of Arsenal, to believe in our academy and to really promote our academy. That's important and that's why I am here as well. I wouldn't waste my time just to know that we are not having successes here at Arsenal.

I had a great time at SV Werder Bremen and I'm grateful to the club.