Per Mertesacker has made it his ‘absolute priority’ to sign a new contract with Arsenal.
The German centre-back has entered the final year of his current deal at the Emirates and has yet to agree fresh terms with the Gunner.
And with no indication of talks over a new deal taking place, speculation continues to increase that Mertesacker will be shown the door and potentially return to Germany to play for his boyhood club Hannover on a free at the end of the season
However, the 32-year-old defender insists he is only focused on trying to extend his stay at Arsenal:
‘A new Arsenal contract has absolute priority for me, but no dates have been set [for talks].
‘Arsenal has the highest priority for me. Everything else is pure speculation, and I won’t join the discussion.’
Mertesacker has yet to feature for Arsene Wenger’s side this season due to being injured, with his last appearance coming against Norwich back in April where Arsenal won the game 1-0.
Mertesacker will be hopeful that he can come good once again and reclaim his starting role, but this could prove difficult after summer signing Shkodran Mustafi has made a good impression with the Arsenal faithful and Wenger himself.
With that being said, should Arsenal give their captain what he wants most, a new improved deal?
I know this may sound harsh, but I don’t believe we need him anymore. We already have Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel and Mustafi on the books, as well as the likes of Callum Chambers – so we have options already.
Mertesacker is 32 now and although he brings experience to the squad and his positioning is good, he doesn’t have the legs to keep up with the fast pace of the Premier League anymore.
However, he is the Arsenal captain and some may feel he still has a lot to give to this Arsenal side.
Only time will tell, but I wouldn’t be upset if the club decided not to give the towering centre-back a new deal to remain at Arsenal.
