Wednesday 5 October 2016 17:53, UK
Pet Mertesacker believes he can play a key role for Arsenal again once he recovers from the knee injury which has kept him out since the summer.
The German defender suffered the setback during his side's 1-1 pre-season draw with Lens and is not expected to return until 2017.
In his absence, summer signing Shkodran Mustafi has formed a good partnership with Laurent Koscielny but Mertesacker is optimistic he can find a way back into the team.
The 32-year-old told Kicker: "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.
"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. 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."
Mertesacker has made 206 appearances for Arsenal since moving to the Emirates from Werder Bremen in 2011.
