Per Mertesacker breaks down in tears as Arsenal legend officially retires with testimonial match managed by Arsene Wenger

PER MERTESACKER broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to football for the final time during his testimonial featuring 19 GOALS.

The 34-year-old has hung up his boots after a 15-year professional career which saw him win the World Cup in 2014.


Over 40,000 fans turned out to watch the centre-back play for Mertesacker's 'Hannover 96 friends' against a World XI, who were managed by Arsene Wenger.

And the former Gunners boss was there to watch at close quarters as Mertesacker was replaced by his 67-year-old father Stefan.

Arsenal signed him from Hannover in 2011 in a bid to plug holes in their leaky defence and he ended up playing 219 games in seven seasons.

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

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Mertesacker invited Arsene Wenger to be the manager for his World XI teamCredit: PA:Press Association
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Mertesacker will resume his duties as Arsenal Academy managerCredit: PA:Press Association

As was former Chelsea ace Michael Ballack, ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Bayern Munich legend Claudio Pizarro and former Dortmund and Real Madrid ace Christoph Metzelder.

And as Mertesacker was replaced in the 88th minute, he welled up in tears to a standing ovation and walked off to be replaced by his old man.

He lingered around after the match to pose for selfies with fans.

And with the game finishing 10-9, the main man himself managed to get on the scoresheet to a rapturous cheer from the onlooking crowd.

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