Arsenal defender Mertesacker: We are not our best

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has admitted that he and his team-mates are not at their best after a stuttering start to the season.

The Gunners have won just two of their opening eight Premier League games and left it late to come from behind and beat Anderlecht on Wednesday night in the Champions League.

Mertesacker, knows that Arsenal’s performances have been subdued this season and that the North London side are doing all they can to turn things around.

“Everyone knows that it was a difficult start for us and our confidence is not that much how we wanted it,” the German defender told reporters.

“The character is good, the mentality is good, but football-wise, we lack a few things.

“Our passing game is not as efficient as last year. We are not at our best. We have to admit that, be honest with ourselves and train harder.”

The 30-year-old defender retired from international duty following his country’s World Cup win this summer and he has discussed that decision and his return to full fitness.

“Personally it is difficult at the moment because that was really a long season last year and to come back from that World Cup and get the motivation back… I am nearly back, but you can feel there is something missing at the moment,” he said.

“With those games, the belief and the mentality is there, but the motivation will come back.

“We didn’t even have time to celebrate [the World Cup win] properly, that was the first thing, but you realise month after month what happened.

“I am still not there [taking in] what happened in Brazil, maybe in five or 10 years you can really realise what was going on there.

“We came back to Berlin, got on the stage, waved our hands, showed the World Cup and then everyone disappeared to their families to get some holidays, some rest and calm.”


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