Mertesacker opens up on football "burden"

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has opened up about the "burden" he faces before a match as the German enters the final stages of his career.

The 33-year-old, who is retiring at the end of the season, has been eased out of the Gunners fold by manager Arsene Wenger as he prepares to enter a management role with the club next season.

Mertesacker told <em>Der Spiegel</em> that his "stomach turns round" ahead of a game, while he also comes close to vomiting.

"Some days you realise that everything is a burden, both physically and mentally, but you have to deliver without a doubt, even if you are injured," the defender said.

"In the moments before a game starts, my stomach turns around as if I had . . .