Premier League: Per Mertesacker says Arsenal need to sharpen up
Thursday 27 November 2014 21:24, UK
Per Mertesacker has urged his Arsenal team-mates to “sharpen up” and kick-start their Premier League season against West Brom on Saturday.
Arsenal, eighth in the league after a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United last weekend, put their poor form behind them with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
And Mertesacker has challenged them to again step up and show they are “still alive” domestically.
"We were very convincing against Dortmund. Everyone had to learn," he said. "We have to show character and that is what makes me really happy for the next few games, because we have to sharpen up in the Premier League as well.
“Saturday is a good chance to show to everyone that we are still alive. Champions League football (in the knockout stages) we have secured and that gives us a life, but that has nothing to do with the Premier League.
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"Dortmund are a good example of that, because they are already through, but they have suffered a lot in the league.”
Arsene Wenger’s side have a host of injury problems ahead of the Baggies game with Jack Wilshere expected to face several weeks out after damaging ankle ligaments while captain Mikel Arteta is being assessed after limping off on Wednesday with a calf problem.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to return while striker Olivier Giroud - who scored on his return from a broken leg against United - will be pressing for a start this weekend.
