Per Mertesacker confirms contract talks

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has revealed that he has started contract negotiations with the club.

The German international, who joined the Gunners in 2011 from Werder Bremen, still has 18 months left to run on his current deal.

However, the 29-year-old has conceded that he is "pleased" to have begun talks over an extension to those terms.

"I am very delighted here. The first year was tough for me, a very tough challenge, but the club and the manager always trusted me in a special way. I think it is a little reward that we are talking [about a new contract], because I still have one-and-a-half years left," the London Evening Standard quotes Mertesacker as saying.

"There is no rush but it seems that some people are delighted with my performances at the moment. I am pleased with the situation."

Mertesacker has made 18 appearances in all competitions so far this season.