Per Mertesacker retires from international duty with Germany
• World Cup-winning Arsenal defender ends international career
• Earned 104 caps in 10-year spell in the German national team
Per Mertesacker has ended his international career at the age of 29. The Arsenal centre-back, who won the World Cup in his final game with Germany in Brazil, won 104 caps and scored four goals.

Mertesacker made his international debut in October 2004, against Iran aged just 20, after making an impressive start to the season Hannover’s defence. The 6ft 6in defender follows Germany’s captain in Brazil, Philipp Lahm, and the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer, Miroslav Klose, into retirement since the victory against Argentina.

“Winning the World Cup was the best possible end to 10 years in the national team. I’ve moved aside to let younger players take over. We don’t have to fret about the future, we are better equipped than ever before. I’m happy that I’ve been able to play for so long, happy that people have trusted in me,” said Mertesacker, who then went on to make clear his ambitions at club level.

“I’m still hungry for more titles, but I want to win them with Arsenal – to win the league, perhaps have a go at the Champions League.

“You could see the potential was there, at times. We were top until Christmas. It was there for the taking for a long time. But in the big away games we were too naive, we also couldn’t compensate the injured players. But I have a feeling that we will achieve a lot more. The manager constantly pushes us in the right direction with his experience and calmness. And the club have spent a lot of money to strengthen the squad. Of course, there are four, five other teams who can all win the league. But we’ve got a taste for silverware now, after winning the FA Cup.

“I’m a world champion but you can’t let yourself go because of that. There are new challenges. I’m vice-captain at Arsenal and I know that I have more responsibilities now. I want to achieve big things with the club. Having more time off for your legs and your head is not a bad thing in that respect – especially at my old age.”

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