Arsenal players are to blame for Wenger leaving, says Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker says Arsenal‘s players are to blame for Arsene Wenger’s exit from the club after over two decades in charge of the Gunners.

Wenger left at the end of last season having won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his time in north London.

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League in all but the final two years of Wenger’s reign, which is thought to be the reason behind his departure.

But Mertesacker, who retired from playing at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, says the players had plenty of opportunities to save Wenger’s job and must take responsibility for what happened.

The German has been speaking about the moment Wenger told the players he was leaving last term.

“That was very surprising for all of us,” Mertesacker told Spox (via the Mirror). “He came into the meeting room and said that together with the bosses he had decided to quit at the end of the season.

“It was a sad moment because I felt like I’d done my part. His departure was the fault of us players because we had many opportunities to get better results.

“We failed while he always stood in front of us. I felt the need to be the first to speak, and expressed my deep regret.

“It was important for him to see that as a team we have something to say and stand for.”

Arsenal lost 13 of their 38 Premier League games during Wenger’s final season in charge and won just three points on the road in 2018 before the Frenchman’s departure.

Under new manager Unai Emery, the Gunners have won their last three Premier League matches after being beaten by Manchester City and Chelsea in their opening two.

Arsenal get their Europa League campaign underway on Thursday night against Ukrainian side Vorskla at the Emirates, looking to improve on last season’s semi-final exit.

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