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Confirmed: Arsene Wenger announces new contract for Arsenal star Per Mertesacker
ARSENE WENGER has confirmed Per Mertesacker will remain at Arsenal until the summer of 2018.
Arsene Wenger confirms Arsenal's decision to extend Per Mertesacker's deal
Mertesacker, who was made Arsenal captain in the summer, is yet to feature this season after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.
The former Germany international's contract was due to expire at the end of this campaign - but it will now run until the summer of 2018.
Arsene Wenger says Per Mertesacker just two weeks away from first-team training
And Wenger is confident Mertesacker, 32, could return to first-team training within the next two weeks.
The Gunners boss said: “He has an option that we have taken. There was no negotiation, just an option that we have taken.
“He’s back in training, not with the squad, but he’s two weeks away now.”
Wenger is looking forward to having the experience Mertesacker provides back in his squad.
He added: “With the number of games we have it’s important that we have all our experienced players back and that everybody is focused to do well.
“We’re going through a moment of truth now, January until May is five months to go. You want ideally all your players with big experience back in your squad.”