Arsenal's Per Mertesacker has not ruled out a future return to former club Hannover 96.

The Gunners captain is out of contract with the North London club at the end of the season and could quite possibly be on his way back to Germany, according to recent reports.

It is understood that Bundesliga.2 outfit Hannover, where the 32-year-old started his career, are open to luring the World Cup winner back to the HDI-Arena while the player himself insists there is no issue having options as he enters the twilights years of his career.

"I am a person who likes to create options for himself," the injured centre-half told Kicker.

"Of course, I ask myself what would make sense if things were to end at Arsenal. Where can I be of any help? What do I want? Could I maybe return to Germany?

"I look at the perspectives for me and my family, and I think that I'll intensify those thoughts from January on. That's also the time when you can listen to other things when your contract is expiring."