Per Mertesacker says he cannot envisage Arsenal without Arsene Wenger as manager, and has told Sport Bild the club can achieve great things this season.
- Cross: Can Wenger cope with tough tests ahead?
- Mcnicholas: Can speedy additions take the title?
Mertesacker, 29, retired from international football following Germany's World Cup triumph in Brazil this summer in order to focus on his club career.
The centre-back -- who joined the club from Werder Bremen in 2011 -- put pen to paper on a new three-year-deal in March, and is delighted to have signed on with the club until 2017.
"I owe a lot to the club after they have given me such a lengthy contract extension," Mertesacker said. "It shows how satisfied Arsene Wenger is with me. Usually, he'd only hand one-year-deals to 30-year-olds, but my contract runs until 2017, and I'll be nearly 33 then."
Mertesacker admitted Wenger has played a major role in his development into one of the leaders at the Emirates, eventually becoming the side's vice-captain.
"As a player you always want to play a part in the dressing room," he said. "But it's not that easy, as I learned during my first season. In England it's easy to get caught in the line for fire when you commit mistakes. When rumours came up that I would not make it at Arsenal, I always knew that I would not be dropped.
"Arsene Wenger placed his trust in me right from the beginning and always stood by me. He always said: 'You'll make it!' We have a special relationship, and that developed even further when I was named vice-captain. It's been three years since my transfer, but it's not common that you win his trust that fast.
"Back then, it was a huge step for me. It feels like a second life: Language, culture, a new sporting challenge. I've become a new person through the transfer."
The centre-back praised Wenger as a coach who "goes his own way" and one who will keep his calm when provoked by others, and believes the coach will be around for the foreseeable future to guide a young Gunners side forwards.
"Right now, I cannot imagine it," the defender answered when asked whether Wenger will ever leave the Emirates. "He's an institution, and has built up so much. That's why the club is sitting pretty. And through extending his contract three-and-a-half months ago, he's shown his critics that he can continue to develop a team."
"Moreover, after our FA Cup win in May -- our first title in nine years -- he's become even hungrier to build something here, and set the pace with Arsenal."
Mertesacker believes the Gunners can go all the way in Premier League this season, adding: "We've shown last year that we have the potential. We were in the race until Christmas. But we were too naive in the away games against the big teams after that, and were not able to compensate for all the injuries. Contrary to the Bundesliga, six or seven clubs can win the league here in England."