Per Mertesacker: ‘We have to go through the set-pieces and look at what has gone wrong because last year we had quite a good record’

Published: 17 October, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

PER Mertesacker is calling for his team to be better prepared at set-pieces when Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend following the international break. 

Hull visit the Emirates in what is fast becoming a rare Saturday afternoon kick-off for Arsene Wenger’s side. And with the Tigers boasting the likes of Curtis Davis, Mohamed Diame and Nikica Jelavic in their ranks, Mertesacker knows that the Gunners are going to have to be at their best if they are to pick up three much-needed points. 

“We have to go through the set-pieces and look at what has gone wrong because last year we had quite a good record,” said the Arsenal vice-captain. “We need to improve on it this season because we’ve conceded from them already. 

“It’s all about reminding ourselves how good we are in the air from set-pieces,” he added. “We have to get to the ball and stop opponents getting into dangerous areas. We had a good record throughout last season and we need to find that again quickly.” 

Wenger has spoken of the need for his side to also become a bigger threat from corners, having failed to score from one so far this season. Unsurprisingly Mertesacker was quick to agree with his manager. “Attacking corners is another part of our game that we have to improve. The deliveries, the timing, there’s a lot of detailed things we have to get right. A lot of it has to do with concentration, strictness, good deliveries and good timing. 

“When we were going through previous situations we could see that not everyone was on the ball. We have to start making sure that everyone is ready and concentrating on every set play.”