Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker has said that he is grateful to the club and manager Arsene Wenger for the support they have shown him during his long spell on the sidelines.
The 32-year-old suffered a serious knee injury last summer and has spent the vast majority of the current campaign in recovery, only making his first appearance as a late substitute against Everton in last weekend's final league game of the season.
Mertesacker's injury did not prevent Arsenal from handing the German a new contract in December, though, and he is keen to repay the faith shown in him.
"They had to exercise [the option to extend my contract] in December when I was injured. That was pretty much good motivation for me to think I am going to play again, this or next season. I was not particularly thinking 'Okay, I need to play this season'. It was more like giving myself more time not to rush," he told reporters.
"So it was then for me a better situation to relax a little bit more. The club trusted me that way. They trusted me that I could come back and make the difference at one stage of the season or next season. You have to consider that definitely [you are at risk of being released] when you're injured and that was long term.
"The manager backed me up, made me captain, knowing I was going to be sidelined for more than six months. That was the first life; the second life was to exercise the option. Obviously I'm grateful so I want to make sure I try to give something back."
Mertesacker could make his first start of the campaign when Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley this afternoon.
Barney Corkhill
