Monday 11 May 2015 09:09, UK
Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal have found a way to be successful while playing the style of football they want.
Mertesacker is part of an Arsenal side that have lost just twice in 2015 and are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.
In recent seasons the Gunners have struggled to consistently translate their attractive brand of football into enough points to challenge for the league title. Now, insists Mertesacker, that has changed.
“We’re playing good football at the minute and we’re not distracted by anything,” he told Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday. “It looks like we’ve found a way to play football like we want to and that is the most important (thing).
“Technical football based on possession works quite well at the moment but what counts at the end is the result and it looks like we are mentally strong at the moment.
“That keeps us going and we hope that we can continue that run until the end of the season.”
Nine wins in their last 10 Premier League games has got Arsenal fans talking about a real title challenge next season and Mertesacker revealed that the dressing room is in high spirits as a result of their recent form.
However, for now, the focus remains solely on securing a place in the Champions League group stage next season via a second-place finish.
“It is very nice when you are in good form,” added the former Germany international. “Everyone is in a good mood so the atmosphere is really great at the minute.
“To celebrate the run and each game, the dressing room is quite lively at the moment.
“2015 has been quite successful apart from the one Champions League game [at home to Monaco] and the loss against Tottenham but other than that we’ve had really good results. To qualify directly for the Champions League is the main target.”
Per Mertesacker was speaking at an event to mark the opening of the Arsenal Hub - home of Arsenal in the Community. The Arsenal in the Community team's new base will deliver 50 hours of sports and education sessions to 1,500 young people each week when it is fully up and running later this year.
Watch Arsenal v Swansea on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
