German defender Per Mertesacker has revealed that he will remain at Arsenal beyond July 2018, the date he had set for his retirement from football. The club captain announced that he will become the Arsenal academy manager at the end of the 2017-2018 season. The academy will be managed by Luke Hobbs this season, after previous manager Andries Jonker took the job of head coach of the senior team at Bundesliga club Wolfsburg. Jonker had led the Arsenal academy since 2014.
“Per is an exceptional character who is a great example for young players," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said after Mertesacker's future was revealed. "He is a deep thinker about the game and committed to helping players fulfill their potential. He will be an inspirational figure for everyone connected with the academy.” Per Mertesacker joined Arsenal in 2011 from Werder Bremen and went on to score 8 goals in 210 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners. However, last season he only made two appearances after having spent a long time recovering from a knee injury.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for me and I am delighted that I will be able to stay part of the Arsenal family," Mertesacker said. "This season I will remain fully focused on my job with the team and am looking forward to a successful last season on the pitch. After that, I look forward to the exciting challenge of helping produce young players good enough to play for the Arsenal first team.” Per Mertesacker, aged 32, has a wide international experience after having earned 104 caps for the German national team.
Arsenal are 11/1 at Bet365 to win the Premier League title next season.
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