Arsenal have announced that defender Per Mertesacker will take charge of the club's academy squad in 2018.

Last summer, Arsenal took up their option to extend the German's contract by an extra 12 months, and he will undergo further amendments to his status at the Emirates Stadium at the end of the next campaign.

The 32-year-old will hang up his boots next summer, but it has been revealed that he will lead the club's youth setup ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Mertesacker told the club's official website: "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.

"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."

Last season, Mertesacker made just two appearances for the Gunners because of injury, but he put in a man-of-the-match display in the FA Cup final as Arsenal edged out London rivals Chelsea.