Mertesacker: I don’t think we allowed them many chances. We defended very well. Of course you have to stay tight and limit the spaces if you want to keep them away from goal.
Question: They did have a few chances though.
Mertesacker: They always create something. They will always get something over the 90 minutes. But the fact that we were able to keep them away from goal was crucial to our success.
Question: What are your thoughts on the upcoming matches against Bayern and Olympiacos?
Mertesacker: The next game is the most important one (FC Bayern, 4th November). We have a lot of confidence after beating them 2-0, and especially after the way that we beat them.
Question: How will you approach the game?
Mertesacker: We have to take this confidence with us to Munich. We want to play well and leave with some points.
Back in business: After two defeats in their opening two Champions League matches, FC Arsenal claimed an impressive 2-0 victory against Bayern München and have increased their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Per Mertesacker was a key part of the Arsenal back line which kept Lewandowski and Co. quiet. The 31-year-old spoke to DFB about the win and its consequences.
Mr. Mertesacker, were you at all surprised by the victory over FC Bayern?
Mertesacker: I don’t think anyone expected us to sit so deep and hit them on the break.
Question: Was that the key to success?
Mertesacker: It was a good plan, and we intended to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible. We knew that we would have our chances in the second half. Everything worked out perfectly for us.
Question: How would you sum up this victory?
Mertesacker: We are very pleased with our performance, our defensive solidity and how we managed to get on top of Bayern at the end.
Question: Are you pleased with the number of chances that Bayern had?
Mertesacker: I don’t think we allowed them many chances. We defended very well. Of course you have to stay tight and limit the spaces if you want to keep them away from goal.
Question: They did have a few chances though.
Mertesacker: They always create something. They will always get something over the 90 minutes. But the fact that we were able to keep them away from goal was crucial to our success.
Question: What are your thoughts on the upcoming matches against Bayern and Olympiacos?
Mertesacker: The next game is the most important one (FC Bayern, 4th November). We have a lot of confidence after beating them 2-0, and especially after the way that we beat them.
Question: How will you approach the game?
Mertesacker: We have to take this confidence with us to Munich. We want to play well and leave with some points.
