Former Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker has named just two Gunners stars in his all-time best XI.

The 2014 World Cup winner was asked to pick the best XI players he played with during his lengthy and hugely successful career.

Mertesacker, 34, opted for the Arsenal duo of Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil in his lineup.

Current Arsenal captain Koscielny and Mertesacker were the Gunners’ centre-back partnership for several years.

Both players were fundamental to Arsenal’s recent run of three FA Cup titles in four years.

Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker were part of the German squad that won a fourth title at the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Mertesacker joined Arsenal from German Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen in 2012 and went on to spend six years before calling time on his football career at the end of last season.

Before announcing his retirement, he was named the Arsenal Academy coach as from the 2018/19 season.

Arsenal have not really missed his influence on the first team as the North Londoners have started the new campaign in fine form with nine wins from the eleven games played this season

Per Mertesacker Best XI: Robert Enke; Clemens Fritz, Philipp Lahm, Laurent Koscielny, Naldo; Hanno Balitsch, Torsten Frings, Diego, Mesut Ozil; Miroslav Klose, Claudio Pizarro.

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Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has announced his retirement from international football in a controversial manner.

The 33-year-old confirmed his decision to retire from the French national team on Sunday evening as he criticised manager Didier Deschamps for the way he was treated while recovering from a long injury layoff.

Laurent Koscielny recently returned to light training at Arsenal from the Achilles tendon injury he sustained during the Europa League semi-final second leg clash with Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in May.

The injury forced him to miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

His French team emerged as champions after a second title triumph via a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their final clash.

Since making his debut in 2011, Laurent Koscielny has featured for France on 51 occasions and also represented Les Blues at three major tournaments namely the 2012 European Championship, 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 European Championship.

His last appearance for France came in March 2018 when the French team defeated Russia 3-1 in an international friendly.

Without Laurent Koscielny in the Arsenal team, retired Czech Republic shot-stopper Petr Cech has captained the team under the new managerial reign of Spanish tactician Unai Emery.

The Gunners are expected to welcome Koscielny back to full training by next month.

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North London giants Arsenal have reportedly been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead of the upcoming transfer window in January.

England international player Loftus-Cheek has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Stamford Bridge and he’s keen on leaving in search of regular football.

His best run in the first team came while he was at fellow London club Crystal Palace.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek spent the last campaign at Selhurst Park on a season-long loan deal from the Blues and he produced several impressive outings for the Eagles.

His form earned him a spot on the England team for this summer’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia.

He was part of the Three Lions squad that finished fourth under manager Gareth Southgate.

Loftus-Cheek wants to retain his place in the England squad and the only way to play club football regularly hence his decision to seek more first team opportunities.

According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace are interested in signing him on loan when the January transfer window reopens but the Selhurst Park outfit could face competition from London rivals Arsenal.

He could be a replacement for Arsenal contract rebel Aaron Ramsey who’s reportedly on his way out of the club.

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Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi continued his impressive form earlier on Saturday as he helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria thrash Libya 4-0 in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.

Iwobi, 22, has started the new season in impressive fashion under new Arsenal manager Unai Emery.

The Arsenal Academy graduate has been one of the beneficiaries of the new dispensation under the former Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Valencia and Sevilla boss.

Alex Iwobi struggled with inconsistency under former manager Arsene Wenger but the advent of Unai Emery has seen his form flourish.

Unai Emery had replaced Wenger in the summer after the Frenchman resigned from his post as Arsenal manager thus ending his 22-year reign at the club.

The Spaniard signed a three-year contract until 2021.

Alex Iwobi played the entire duration of the game which saw Chinese-based striker net a hattrick.

The former Watford striker netted the opening goal from the spot as early as the fourth minute after he was fouled in the Libyan box.

He added a second goal on 58 minutes off a sumptuous pass from Iwobi before completing his treble in the 69th minute.

Samuel Kalu scored a fourth goal on the stroke of full-time to make the scoreline a more comprehensive one.

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