Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 7y

Per Mertesacker: Arsene Wenger uncertainty no excuse for Arsenal woes

Per Mertesacker has said Arsenal cannot use the uncertainty surrounding Arsene Wenger's future as an excuse for their Premier League failure.

Mertesacker, who said he was ready to start his first game of the season in Saturday's FA Cup final, rejected Wenger's claim that the players had faced an "absolutely horrendous" environment in recent months because of speculation over whether he will stay on as manager.

"I cannot see any horrendous environment. We have been very focused on what is at stake," Mertesacker told a news conference on Wednesday.

"I think we players, we did not care too much what happened to the manager next year. That's our job, and we've done it for a couple of years now.

"We haven't been brilliant all season, when we have gone through ups and downs. But this league is about quick changes and you have to be ready for the next challenge, even when it's not going for you.

"You cannot let yourself down or find excuses about the environment or the manager's future.

"This is not my approach and not the team's approach. I think we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and see what's next for us."

Mertesacker could be called on against Chelsea at Wembley, where Arsenal will be without centre-backs Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista, while Shkodran Mustafi is a doubt with an illness.

Mertesacker only made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 win against Everton on Sunday.

He has not played a full game since returning to training in January following a serious knee injury.

"I cannot tell you [if I'm match fit]. I haven't played this year," he said. "But I used to do this for 15 years, so I expect myself to be absolutely ready no matter what comes. That is my mindset.

"No matter what happens, I'm going to go for it. I owe this to this team and to this club. I want to make sure I'll be ready 100 percent, and my mindset is 120 minutes plus penalties."

Arsenal finished outside the Premier League's top four for the first time under Wenger, but now have the chance to secure a third FA Cup win in four years.

And Mertesacker said: "What are we looking at? A final where we have to turn up on that day.

"I think that's the best for a competitor to have such a game at the end of the season. No matter what the situation is with the manager and with the team, who's fit and who's not fit, I think this team needs to be ready.

"That's all I care about -- and what a fantastic game to have to finish the season."

Mertesacker refused to speculate on whether Wenger will still be at the Emirates Stadium next season, but paid tribute to the manager.

"We are lucky to have him here," he said. "He trusted me a lot.

"So I can just tell you that I'm looking forward for the future of this club, because even we struggle a little bit or play in the Europa League next year, it gives us a little bit of time to think about what may have gone wrong last season.

"But short term, we're just thrilled to be together in that final with our manager."

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