Dropping Mertesacker 'would be suicide', claims Arsenal great

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has claimed it "would be suicide" to leave Per Mertesacker out of the team.

The German World Cup winner has been criticised for some poor defensive displays this season, which has seen full-backs Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal feature alongside the towering German in the long-term absence of Laurent Koscielny.

But Seaman believes Mertesacker's experience is vital for Arsenal's ever-changing backline.

"You've got to [play him]; he's an experienced international defender," Seaman told talkSPORT. "It was a strange thing for him to say that he was finding it hard to be motivated [because] winning the World Cup is like dreamland."

"To leave him out especially with the injuries they have at the moment would be suicide. He is still a key player in that Arsenal defence because he has got that experience and he does marshal the defence."

The former England shot-stopper also offered his backing for Arsene Wenger, warning Arsenal supporters it is not always beneficial to sack a manger.

"I speak to a lot of people and a lot of them want him out," added Seaman. "I keep getting asked and I'm saying no. I've worked with him and once you've worked with him you realise how good he is."

"I've been getting stick on Twitter and stuff and you can understand a little bit of the criticism, but we're in a stage where we want change straight away and it's going to be better. It's not always for the better if you change the manager."