Per Mertesacker to take over as Arsenal academy manager in a year’s time

Per Mertesacker will take over as Arsenal’s academy manager in a year’s time. The 32-year-old German, who excelled in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea despite the game being his first start of the season, will be part of Arsène Wenger’s first-team squad this coming season before focusing fully on the academy.

Mertesacker said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for me and I am delighted I will be able to stay part of the Arsenal family. This season I will remain fully focused on my job with the team and am looking forward to a successful last season on the pitch. After that, I look forward to the exciting challenge of helping produce young players good enough to play for the Arsenal first team.”

The defender, Arsenal said, will “continue as an important part of our squad while developing his knowledge and understanding” of the academy.

The academy will be led by Luke Hobbs, who has held the job since the departure of Andries Jonker to manage Wolfsburg.

“Per is an exceptional character who is a great example for young players,” Arsène Wenger said. “He is a deep thinker about the game and committed to helping players fulfil their potential. He will be an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the academy.”

Mesut Özil has said he is excited about playing with new signing Alexandre Lacazette. “I am really looking forward to it,” the midfielder said. “He is a very good striker who has scored many goals in Ligue 1, not just this season but in previous seasons too. We are really happy to have such a class striker here with us.

“From what I have heard he is meant to be very good, always hungry for goals and ice-cold when he gets into a scoring position. My friends who follow the French league know him well and have told me that I will definitely have fun with him on the pitch.

“I hope he will be able to take us further with his goals. I am sure he is happy to be here and to be able to play with us, and we are pleased to be able to assist him and help him to score as many goals as possible.”