Mertesacker demands Arsenal reinvigoration
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker was frustrated at losing to Tottenham Hotspur and wants his side to shape up before their next game against Bayern Munich.
By FOX SPORTS Staff
The Gunners suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday, and the Lilywhites now lead Arsene Wenger's men in the table by seven points.
Defensive errors by Arsenal allowed Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon to put Spurs two up in the first half, and although the Gunners pulled one back early in the second half through Mertesacker, they were unable to muster a comeback, thus handing the bragging rights to Andre Villas-Boas' men in the process.
Mertesacker admitted he was bitterly unhappy with the loss and bemoaned his side's inability to mount sustained pressure on the Spurs goal following his goal.
"We are disappointed because we looked good for the first 35 minutes [against Tottenham]," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.
"We were solid at the back, played high up but couldn't manage both situations where they scored.
"It was strange. After we scored we couldn't put them under the pressure that was maybe needed to score again. There were a few chances on either side, but it was very disappointing the way we played after we scored."
Arsenal's next fixture sees them travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last-16 tie.
The Gunners currently trail 3-1 to the Bavarian giants from the first leg, but Mertesacker believes his side can pull off a result against Bayern in the second leg if they use their break wisely to improve themselves.
"After that it is strange to think about it, but we need this breather now," Mertesacker added.
"We have 10 days until the next game and we have to think about our situation.
"Of course there is potential but we have to show that on the pitch.
"That is what is needed over the next few weeks: to go to Munich and take our chance there, then we have to take care of the league and go for all the points."
Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League table and five points behind Chelsea, who currently occupy the last Champions League qualification spot in the table.