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Defender Says Gunners’ Will Be Better Next Season

Per Mertesacker says Arsenal will be better for the experience of falling out of the title race this season.

The Germany defender reckons the Gunners have finally learned their lesson after leaving it late to clinch a top four spot in recent seasons.

Arsenal all but sealed their place in Europe’s top club competition by beating Newcastle on Monday night and could have it confirmed before they play again.

“We couldn’t afford those away games against big teams. So we didn’t deserve to be in the first three” Mertesacker said.

”We can learn a lot about ourselves from this. Last year we managed to deal with an even more difficult situation.

“Ten games to go, no-one expected us to be in the top four. This year with a couple of injuries we struggled heavily.

“But we regrouped very well and how we managed this situation was even more important maybe than last year.

“To get the possibility to secure Champions League football, that was another test for us. Of course everyone wanted us to get further up, especially the fans.

“We were top of the League for a long time and everyone dreamed of maybe getting the title.

“But it takes more than just to stay top until the winter period. We couldn’t afford those away games against big teams. So we didn’t deserve to be in the first three.

“That is something for next year that we have to manage much better than this year. The early away games killed us this year. Hopefully we can learn from that.”

Arsenal were thrashed when they went to title rivals Manchester City before Christmas, and then lost heavily at Liverpool and Chelsea as well.

Mertesacker reckons those three results left their title hopes in tatters before the end of March – but insists they will not let it happen again next season.

He said: ” Everyone questioned our qualities and our football. How we came back as a team, that makes us stronger for the future.

“We have to learn quickly how to play and how to defend in the first 20-25 minutes. It was very similar in each game.

“The first 20 minutes we lost some balls in the middle of the park, and they got us on the break. That is something we have to look at next year.”

Mertesacker knows there are no guarantees with Everton still in the hunt for fourth – but insists this could still be a good season if Arsenal finish above them and win the FA Cup.

 “Everyone knows we are in the cup final and everyone waits for that moment. We can secure Champions League football and have the FA Cup final. So good targets to go for. That’s very important now.

“Of course we are happy to have a lot of players back but not everyone is back and fit again but you can see the squad is getting stronger and stronger.

“We know that fourth place is not safe yet. We play on Sunday and Everton will face Man City before that. But we have it in our own hands. We want to secure the fourth spot.”