Arsenal defender rules out summer Bundesliga return

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has denied reports he could leave north London to join Wolfsburg at the end of the season.

Mertesacker, who signed for Arsenal in 2011 from Werder Bremen, has been linked with a move back to Germany in recent weeks, with Wolfsburg said to be in pursuit of the 28-year-old.

Further weight has been added to those reports by the fact Wolfsburg general manager, Klaus Allofs, worked with Mertesacker during his time at Bremen, while recently it has been suggested Arsenal could be planning a major summer overhaul of their squad.

However Mertesacker has moved to deny any suggestions he could leave the Gunners, saying he is happy to stay put for the foreseeable future.

"No, I don't consider a return to Germany. I am under contract with Arsenal and I am planning to stay on at Arsenal for more years from now," he told Sport-BILD. 

Mertesacker' started alongside Laurent Koscielny in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Swansea on Saturday, with captain Thomas Vermaelen on the bench once more.

That result moves Arsene Wenger's side to within four points of Tottenham in 4th place with a game in hand.