Per Mertesacker has revealed that he still hopes to play a vital role in Arsenal’s season despite being out on the sidelines for at least until December due to a knee ligament injury.
The central defensive partnership of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny has flourished for Arsenal in the absence of Mertesacker but the 32 year old hopes to challenge for a place in the starting eleven once he’s fully fit.
“I know that I need to allow myself time. The more time I allow my knee, the longer I’ll be able to play football.”
“I can increase the workload already and I am no longer in pain.”
“I believe that I can reach a level again on which I am important for the team. I have the feeling that this is not the end.” Mertesacker told Kicker.
When asked about his future at Arsenal, the world cup winner said:
“I look at the perspectives for me and my family, and I think that I’ll intensify those thoughts from January on.
“That’s also the time when you can listen to other things [offers] when your contract is expiring.”
Mertesacker was also full of praise for his compatriot and summer signing Shkodran Mustafi.
“I think Mustafi from the beginning had the feeling that this is the right move for him, he is an open type, inquisitive and fits one hundred percent to us.”
