Per Mertesacker was taken aback by the standing ovation he received as the retiring Arsenal defender played his final match at the Emirates Stadium.
It was an emotional day in London, where outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Mertesacker featured in their last home game as the Gunners routed Burnley 5-0 in the Premier League on Sunday.
Mertesacker – who arrived from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen in 2011 – came off the bench with 13 minutes remaining.
And the 33-year-old German, set to become Arsenal's academy manager next season, was overcome with emotion as he farewelled the Emirates as a player.