Mertesacker to manage Arsenal’s academy team from 2018-19

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will play one last season at the Premier League club before retiring to become its academy manager.

The 32-year-old center back joined Arsenal in 2011. He quit international football after winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday that Mertesacker “is a great example for young players … a deep thinker about the game” and “will be an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the academy.”