Mertesacker backs Arsenal bounce back

Arsenal have the chance to bounce back from their Champions League loss to Bayern Munich against Sunderland in the EPL this weekend.

Per Mertesacker is confident Arsenal will put the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich behind them when they face Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger's side will attempt to bounce back following Wednesday's frustrating 2-0 first leg defeat to the German champions in the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition.

The loss, compounded by the first half dismissal of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and an early penalty miss by Mesut Ozil, leaves Arsenal facing a daunting task in the second leg in Munich if they are to reach the quarter-finals.

But Gunners centre back Mertesacker insists his teammates cannot afford to dwell on that as they attempt to maintain their standing in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal currently lie second, a point behind leaders Chelsea and two points ahead of Manchester City who have played a game less.

With such fine margins separating the leading group, a home slip against an improving Sunderland side is likely to prove costly, and will do nothing to repair the battered morale at the north London club.

And Mertesacker said: "We will concentrate on Saturday now, because we are going through a period with a lot of games.

"We will switch off from the Champions League now, and then switch on again for the Premier League on Saturday.

"The next tie against Bayern is not now for a few weeks, so a couple of days before that game we will think about it."

Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has confirmed Steven Fletcher is fit for his side's League Cup final against Manchester City.

But he won't risk the Scotland international from the start against title-chasing Arsenal.

Fletcher is set for a place on the bench at the Emirates Stadium after shaking-off a persistent Achilles problem.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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