Arsenal defender: We must be focused on Manchester City and Chelsea

Per Mertesacker, Arsenal. Picture: Mike Egerton/EMPICS

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
7:44 AM

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that the Gunners must be consistent when they face Manchester City and Chelsea.

The Gunners are currently sitting in sixth place, four points behind the Blues in fourth.

“After 83 minutes we came back into the game and took the lead, and we were quite happy,” he said. “It was a difficult match in the first half but in the second half we took the initiative - that was really good.

“At this stage of the season, you have to be consistent. We are in a good way but we have to keep our focus on these games [against Manchester City and Chelsea] and the knockout stages of the Champions League. We have to win those games now.

“We are always looking to win something and we can achieve something with this group. We have a lively group so our thoughts are now on the next match. That’s the most important thing for us, not what’s going to happen in May.

“We have a few targets in our team that are possible this year. We won’t talk about it, we’ll just see what happens in the next few important weeks on the pitch.”