Wenger - Per has great mental stature

Arsene Wenger says Per Mertesacker has responded well to losing his first-team place on Sunday.

The Arsenal manager rotated his centre backs against Everton to give Gabriel his full Premier League debut, the Brazilian helping Arsenal keep a clean sheet.

Wenger has not decided if Mertesacker will return against Queens Park Rangers but he has been impressed with the World Cup winner's attitude in training.

“We are all here to serve the club and rise above our own individual interests,” Wenger said. “Per has played many games and he has a fantastic mentality.

“He has a great mental stature that is absolutely remarkable, and his contribution to the team has been excellent. There are periods where people are a bit less in form and that happens to everybody."

Gabriel received plenty of praise for his performance against Everton and Wenger believes he is ready to become a first-team regular at Arsenal.

“We bought him for that and of course that’s what the target is for him,” the manager added. “His English is not perfect yet but he understands more than he speaks.

“He has shown that he’s a defender who’s committed, focused and can integrate well into our defensive system. For a first game it was a very positive one.”