Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits that it was ‘a joy’ to watch teammate Laurent Koscielny at the Euro 2016 tournament in France.

The defender excelled at the tournament, helping France keep three clean sheets en route to their extra-time defeat to Portugal in the final, reports the Arsenal website.

‘To watch him is a joy for me because he’s my team-mate,’ Mertesacker said.

‘He’s done so well for his country.

The German defender insists that Koscielny has worked hard to become an integral part of the French national team.

‘It’s really fun to watch him. He did so well during the tournament and he’s grown as a player during his career at Arsenal and with the national team, he’s a figure there now. It took a bit longer for him to be such a big part of the French squad but now he’s an integral part there,’ he added.

‘He’s very good in a duel, one against one. He anticipates so well and he’s so quick that there’s no joy for strikers to play against him. He’s so composed now and I think there’s more to come from him next season.

‘I’m really looking forward to seeing him again and seeing his strength on the pitch because he’s still growing.’