Arsenal confident Mertesacker will sign new deal

Arsenal manager praised Germany international defender Per Mertesacker for his performance in the 2-0 win over Southampton on Saturday and then told reporters that he is confident the defender will sign a new deal.

Having struck up an excellent partnership with Laurent Koscielny at the heart of Arsenal's defence, there remains some talk of a possible new deal for both the defensive duo before the season ends.


With over 18 months on Per Mertesacker's current deal, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in no hurry, though: "We are in the process of talking [with Mertesacker], he has one and a half years to go on his current contract, so that is a long time."