Per Mertesacker to stay at Arsenal

Germany international defender Per Mertesacker will stay at the club next year, despite reports linking him with a return to his homeland. Mertesacker has been an almost ever present this year at the Emirates.

The centre back has partnered Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the Gunners' defence in recent monhs and manager Arsene Wenger wants the pair to remain at the centre of his defensive plans next year.


"I do not think they want to get rid of me after this season here," Mertesacker told German website www.sport1.de. “I have become an integral part of the team and have really earned respect here."