Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that he can be an important player for the Gunners after recovering making a comeback from a long injury lay-off. The former German international injured his knee in pre-season friendly against Lens and is yet to play for his club this season.
The 32-year old is currently working on his comeback at a rehab clinic in Donaustauf, Germany. Talking to German football magazine Kicker, the senior defender said that he will not rush into action and needs enough time to fully recover from the injury.
“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,” the Arsenal captain said.
The centre-back said that he is not feeling the pain anymore and believes that he can reach a level where he can be considered an important player for his team.
“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’s current contract with the Gunners will expire after this season and hinted that he is willing to hear offers from other clubs.
“I look at the perspectives for me and my family, and I think that I’ll intensify those thoughts from January on,” he said.
“That’s also the time when you can listen to other things [offers] when your contract is expiring.”
Meanwhile, after failing to win the opening two games, the Gunners have won their next five games on the trot and are currently third in the league. It is one of the best starts to the season for the North London club in recent years and there are speculations that they might go all the way this year. However, Mertesacker said that six, seven teams can challenge for the title and the most consistent team will win the race.
“Six, seven teams can play for the title and we are one of those. But it’s all about consistency.
I’ve got a feeling regarding this squad. I can now see that the new signings have done us good. Arsene Wenger now has a lot of options, maybe more than he ever had,” the centre-back said.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see how Arsene Wenger will fit his captain in the starting eleven. New signing Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny have done a good job so far and are gelling well together.