Mertesacker says Gunners need upcoming rest

Arsenal are not in action again until March 13th and Per Mertesacker thinks that the rest will do them good. The Gunners’ form has dipped in recent weeks, with Arsenal winning just 1 of their last 4 games.

Arsenal get a rest due to Everton’s participation in the FA Cup this weekend, the team Arsenal were meant to be playing in the league. The Gunners of course crashed out of the FA Cup at home to Blackburn so instead of playing Millwall away (who Blackburn face in the next round) they will be preparing for the second leg of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.

German international Per Mertesacker believes that the break has come at a good time for the team. Mertesacker said this following Sunday’s defeat at White Hart Lane:

"“We are disappointed because we looked good for the first 35 minutes [against Tottenham],” he told Arsenal Player. “We were solid at the back, played high up but couldn’t manage both situations where they scored.“It was strange. After we scored we couldn’t put them under the pressure that was maybe needed to score again. There were a few chances on either side, but it was very disappointing the way we played after we scored.“After that it is strange to think about it, but we need this breather now. We have 10 days until the next game and we have to think about our situation.“Of course there is potential but we have to show that on the pitch. That is what is needed over the next few weeks: to go to Munich and take our chance there, then we have to take care of the league and go for all the points.” – Per Mertesacker on the defeat to Spurs and how to bounce back from it."

Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal are in need of a rest.