Per Mertesacker: ‘We have the potential and we have to extend 60 minutes of performance to 90 minutes’

Published: 13 November, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

PER Mertesacker is convinced Arsenal can fix their defensive problems before Manchester United roll into town next Saturday – providing they start playing “serious football”. 

The Gunners’ defence has come under heavy fire of late having let leads slip against Swansea in the Premier League and Anderlecht in the Champions League. 

The players have now gone their own way during the international break, but Mertesacker, who retired from the international scene after helping Germany win the World Cup in the summer, says the north Londoners can return to top form if they learn their lessons quickly. 

“We have the potential and we have to extend 60 minutes of performance to 90 minutes, that’s not a big issue,” said the Arsenal vice-captain. “We played our game for 60 minutes with patience and seriousness on Sunday, and Swansea didn’t have a proper chance. Then we scored and we thought we didn’t need to keep possession or be patient and then we struggled. That was our fault and we did the same on Wednesday against Anderlecht. 

“We have to think about it quickly,”  Mertesacker added. 

“We have good ideas on how we can extend the good 60 minutes into 90 minutes. It’s absolutely necessary in the next couple of weeks. Now we have some time to think about the few issues that cause us trouble because we made mistakes in areas we have to avoid. 

“The game against Swansea was completely in our hands, especially in the second half when we scored. That’s when we have to play serious football and not lose the ball. We have to play simple, even if we are 1-0 up. Even more then! 

“We need to keep possession and keep patient. That’s what I mean by serious football.”