The towering centre-back has denied reports linking him with a move back to Germany and insists he intends to stay in north London with the Gunners for a while longer

Per Mertesacker has dismissed reports linking him to German club Wolfsburg and insists he intends to remain with Arsenal.

The Germany international has been linked with a move back to the Bundesliga after it was reported that Arsene Wenger had lost patience with his centre-back. However the 28-year-old featured in both victories over Bayern Munich and Swansea, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

Klaus Allofs, Wolfsburg’s sporting director, also recently expressed his admiration for Mertesacker, acknowledging that the club would be interested in him should he be made available for transfer by the Gunners.

The defender, who has been capped 86 times by his country, has however stated that he has no plans to return to Germany, despite being flattered by the attention.

Mertesacker told Sport Bild Plus: “Of course I noticed that [the comments made by Allofs]. But I took it with a smile.

“Everybody including my family keeps calling, and they ask: What’s going on? Of course I’ve always had a good relationship with Klaus Allofs.

“No, I don’t consider a return to Germany. I still intend to stay here in England at Arsenal for a while.”