Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker says he can handle the busy schedule of the Premier League.

The experienced 27-year-old, though, is happy to tackle the hectic schedule full-on with the Gunners set to travel to Sunderland this weekend.

"It was my choice to go to the English league and have no winter break, no breather at the end of the year," Mertesacker told a webchat with Chinese fans. "Normally in Germany you have a chance to calm down at the end of the year, maybe go on holiday.

"[Having no winter break] was very hard. We had a great time with the family here in London, but you have to deal with the situation.

"It is harder, but I really like it here. This is my new life: you get used to everything."