Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker is currently out with a long-term injury.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has discussed a potential new deal for club captain Per Mertesacker, claiming his absence from the first-team due to injury has delayed any kind of contract talks, as quoted by talkSPORT.
The 104-capped former Germany international is currently on a rolling contract at the Emirates, and after he suffered a serious knee injury during pre-season, many questioned whether he would have much of a future at Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker comes off injured
The 6ft 6 in centre-back is a huge figure amongst the Gunners dressing room, however, and without him around, there would be a severe lack of leaders in the Arsenal squad.
Wenger discussed the potential of a new deal for his club captain, as quoted by talkSPORT:
“At the moment we have not dealt yet with that situation. We are not especially waiting for him to be fit, but of course he has to come back. We will see together at some stage when he will be back in full training.”
Wenger sounds typically non-committal in his assessment of Mertesacker’s chances of earning a new deal.
Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker
The former Werder Bremen man has been an influential member of Arsenal’s squad since his arrival in 2011, despite his rather ungainly style.
He has made 206 appearances for the Gunners, but with the arrival of countryman Shkodran Mustafi, his chances of regular first-team football now look likely to be limited upon his return to full fitness.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
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