• Premier League

Arsenal are ahead of schedule - Mertesacker

ESPN staff
October 25, 2011
Victory against Marseille was a boost for Arsenal © PA Photos
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Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal are performing better than might be expected after a turbulent start to the season.

Mertesacker, the Germany international defender, was one of a number of new faces to move to Emirates Stadium towards the end of the summer transfer window, as manager Arsene Wenger looked to rebuild following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and some embarrassing defeats in the Premier League.

Results have slowly improved for the Gunners in recent weeks - with a 1-0 away win against Marseille in the Champions League and Sunday's 3-1 triumph against Stoke City in the Premier League enhancing their prospects in both competitions - and Mertesacker believes good things are in store for the club.

"The first four (in the league) is the target, everyone else at the club," Mertesacker told Sky Sports News. "The Champions League we want to go through, and it's a hard way. I'm very confident, I think we can do this.

"We have no time to do lots of work together but we have to use games and work hard as a team. To have no pre-season is a difficult situation but, considering we had no pre-season, I think we are doing well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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