Mertesacker pens new Arsenal contract

Mertesacker is recovering from a knee injury suffered in pre-season, with the 32-year-old’s previous deal due to expire at the end of the campaign.

But the German – who has been linked with a return to Bundesliga club Werder Bremen – had an opportunity to extend his contract by 12 months and has activated that option.

Congratulations to @mertesacker on his contract extension. Absolute top man on and off the pitch #captain #arsenal #afc #BFGpic.twitter.com/pNmoCWudwB

— Stuart MacFarlane (@Stuart_PhotoAFC) January 19, 2017

“Mentally, he’s a guy who brings a level of urgency into the team,” said Wenger, who does not expect any new arrivals in the January transfer window.

“He is back in training, but not with the squad.

“There were no negotiations in fact, because he had an option for extension.

“So it’s not really a new contract, it’s just an extension of the old one.

“We had to take that option early in the season and the decision was made quite easily.”