Mertesacker pens new deal, no update on Alexis, Ozil

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Per Mertesacker has signed a one-year contract extension at Arsenal.

The 32-year-old’s deal was set to expire this summer, but the club have taken up the option to tie him to another 12 months.

“He has an option that we have taken. There was no negotiation, just an option that we have taken,” said Wenger.

“He’s back in training, not with the squad, but he’s two weeks away now.

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.”

Wenger was also asked whether he could provide any updates on the futures of Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil, whose respective contracts both expire in summer 2018. “No,” was his simple response.