Per Mertesacker insists being dropped from the Arsenal starting line-up has been a learning experience that will make him a better player.
The 31-year-old started 18 of the Gunners’ first 23 League games but his individual season turned on a red card against Chelsea in late January, when he brought down Diego Costa as he raced towards goal during the first half of a match Arsenal went on to lose 1-0.
Arsene Wenger has since preferred to select Gabriel alongside Laurent Koscielny at centre-back, with the German starting just four of the subsequent 11 games.
Mertesacker was recalled for last night’s 2-0 win over West Brom, after which he admitted Gabriel deserved the chance to replace him and revealed the adjustments he had to make in order to win back his place.
“It is another perspective,” he told Standard Sport. “I try to give everything and be ready when selected. Obviously Gabriel did really well and the boss gave him a chance.
“He deserved it but nevertheless I never give up and I’m fit. When I’m selected, I’ll be ready 100 per cent and give everything. We need every player fit and everyone must contribute.
“Sometimes you need to step back and learn something out of it. Now I can train more than I ever could before.
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"I looked at what I could do to really get better. If you change a little bit of your perspective, you see how other people feel.
"We are 25 [men in the squad] and not everyone can be selected. It is a learning process, even when you are a 30, 31 and a World Cup winner.
“Obviously the boss has got a lot of headaches with his selection. With players coming back, it is going to be good competition — that is what we play for.”
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Mertesacker believes Arsenal can kick on in their final four matches to finish as high as possible in the Premier League table.
He added: “We need to work hard on [finishing teams off] and to win the last couple of games. It is needed.”
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