Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has disrespected club, players and fans, says Dietmar Hamann

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has disrespected the club and fans, says fellow German Dietmar Hamann.

The Gunners skipper recently revealed he suffers from career-long anxiety of playing football and the prospect of that coming to an end with his retirement in the summer means he will "be free for the first time in my life".

The prospect of big games leaves the World Cup winner wanting to vomit before having "to choke so violently until my eyes tear".

The problem was so bad that Mertesacker admitted Germany's World Cup semi-final loss to Italy in 2006 left him, as a 21-year-old, disappointed but also "relieved" at "finally" not being under pressure to perform.

Mertesacker has made just 11 appearances this season as he winds down his playing contract before taking a backroom role at Arsenal and his recent comments left Hamann unimpressed.

"He makes another statement that is questionable for me," Hamann said on Sky in Germany.

"He is still under contract with Arsenal and says that he has no more buck and likes to sit in the stands. He is still paid by the club and has a responsibility.

"I find that disrespectful to the fans, his team-mates and the coach. The club is up to its neck at the moment and then you have one of the captains who sits down and says that he no longer wants to play for the club.

"Whether he is the right person to give young players values such as identity and loyalty next year, I have my doubts."