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Arsenal hero Mertesacker admits he was a ‘panic buy’ after 8-2 mauling by Man Utd

Arsenal cult hero Per Mertesacker admits that he was a “panic buy” when making his way to Emirates Stadium during the summer transfer window of 2011.

The Gunners moved to bring in the towering centre-half from Werder Bremen after seeing serious leaks spring in their back four.

A humiliating 8-2 defeat at old adversaries Manchester United proved to be the final straw for then boss Arsene Wenger.

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Mertesacker was considered to boast qualities that the north London outfit were crying out for, with there an alarming lack of leadership down the spine of their side.