Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Per Mertesacker has the mental strength to get over being dropped.

The German defender, who has played 34 times this season, was replaced in the team by Gabriel Paulista for Sunday's 2-0 win at home to Everton in the Premier League.

Despite questions over whether he will be able to win back his spot in the side, Wenger has no doubts that the 30-year-old is capable of dealing with a spell on the bench.

"We are all here to serve the club and rise above our own individual interests. Per has played many games and he has a fantastic mentality," he told the club's official website.

"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."

Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Queens Park Rangers in the league.