Per finally feeling settled at Arsenal

German defender Per Mertesacker says he finally feels settled at Arsenal and would welcome the “reward” of a new contract offer.

The 6ft 6ins centre-back has grown in stature at the heart of the Gunners rearguard alongside Laurent Koscielny this season and the 29-year-old admits it took him a while to settle following a switch from Werder Bremen in August 2011.

“The first year was tough for me but the club and the manager always trusted me in a special way,” said Mertesacker. “I think it is a little reward that we are talking (a new contract), because I still have one-and-a-half years left.