Date: 15th October 2018 at 11:18pm
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Arsenal academy coach Per Mertesacker has officially retired from football.

The 34 year-old German broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to the game for the final time during his testimonial, which featured a staggering 19 GOALS.

Mertesacker became Arsenal’s academy coach this summer and will be expected to push his current crop of youngsters into the Gunners first team.

In front of more than 40,000, the former centre-half appeared in a ‘Hannover 96 friends’ side against a World XI, who were managed by Arsene Wenger.

Per Mertesacker and Arsene Wenger reflect

Familiar Gunners favourites, such as Jens Lehmann and Kieran Gibbs as well as Wenger were all in attendance.

The game finished 10-9 and to the delight of the crowd the big man himself managed to get on the scoresheet.

The BFG made over 200 competitive appearances for Arsenal, winning three FA Cups. He also racked up 104 caps for his country and won the 2014 World Cup.

Gooners, what’s your favourite memory of Per? Let us know in the comments…

 

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