Per Mertesacker admits Arsenal are running on empty after derby draw with Tottenham

Per Mertesacker revealed the international break has come at a good time for Arsenal

PER MERTESACKER admits Arsenal are running on empty just at the moment and claims the international break could not come at a better time as the Gunners struggle to cling on to Manchester City’s coat tails.

 

A laboured draw against Tottenham on Sunday was the best they could manage even though City’s surprise draw with Aston Villa opened the gates for Arsenal to snatch top spot off them with a win in the north London derby.

But with a serious injury problem at the Emirates, the shattering blow of losing 5-1 to Bayern Munich last week has had an unanticipated impact on energy levels at the club which they will now get out of their system over the next two weeks.

Mertesacker said: “It was fun to play but we all looked a bit knackered, especially in the first half and we gave absolutely everything to get a draw here and we will enjoy next weekend off, a few of us, then back to duty the next week.

“We stayed with the same line-up as against Munich apart from Gabriel and even they played on Thursday but they looked fresh in the first half and then suffered in the second.

“There is still room for improvement but we are in a good position and we want to continue that unbeaten streak.

“Obviously, with players coming back we will gain some more energy, you could see today how great it was to have Gibbs on the bench, he gave us a big lift we he came on, he was fresh and gave everyone a lift with the goal.

 

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“Over a short period you can replace a couple of players but with two games a week, and the intensity will not lessen, you need a lot of players who can replace each other and come and give energy.

“That is important - it is how we beat Bayern Munich in the first game. Theo Walcott played for 75 minutes and then Olivier came on and gave us a different style and had a massive impact on the game, we need game-changers.

“That is what, with injuries, we suffer a bit by I’m convinced that after the international break we will have more options and therefore more confidence.”