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Arsene Wenger uncertainty no excuse for Arsenal as Per Mertesacker 'cannot see any horrendous environment'

Per Mertesacker insists Arsenal cannot use uncertainty over Arsene Wenger's future as an excuse for a poor season.

Wenger claimed on Sunday that his players have endured a "horrendous environment" during the second half of the season, which contributed to their failure to secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years.

Speculation has persisted over Wenger’s future – something the Frenchman admitted was a contributing factor to the negativity – but Mertesacker insists his team-mates cannot use the uncertainty as an excuse for finishing fifth.

But Mertesacker said ahead of Saturday's FA Cup Final against Chelsea: "I cannot see any horrendous environment. We have been very focused on what is at stake and what is on this season. Making sure, being fit, being absolutely focused on what's next.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I think we players, we did not care too much what happens to the manager next year.

"That's our job, we've done it for a couple of years now and we have been really certain we haven't been brilliant all season.

"We have gone through ups and downs but this league is about quick changes and you have to be ready for the next challenge.

"Even when it is going against you we have not been able to convert in the end a Champions League spot but we have done quite well even when we were sixth place, completing until the end of the season for this spot.

"We were really focused on the games. You cannot let yourself down or use excuses about the environment or the manager's future.

"This is not my approach and not the team's approach. This is not our excuse. We have to look to ourselves in the mirror and see what's next for us.

"I think first of all we are lucky to have him here. That was always my mindset when I came here. I was so happy to have him. He trusted me a lot.

"I can just tell you I'm looking forward for the future of this club because even if we struggle a bit, or play in the Europa League next year, it gives us a little bit of time and a breather to think about what has gone wrong last season and we do not deserve to be in the Champions League. Short-term, we are just thrilled to be in that final with our manager."