Mertesacker: Arsenal could struggle against lesser EPL teams

LONDON: Per Mertesacker says it was a miracle that Arsenal finished second last season.

But the German star fears they could now struggle just to keep up with the teams who were below them in the English Premier League.

Straight-talking Mertesacker has watched the Gunners’ title rivals launch major overhauls of their squads this summer.

And he warns Arsenal cannot afford to get left behind in the scramble to sign the game’s biggest international stars.

Manchester United are poised to land Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in a world-record deal. Manchester City also hope to bring in Everton’s John Stones and Schalke’s German winger Leroy Sane for monster fees.

Yet Arsenal’s only major signing so far this summer is Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Mertesacker, 31, warned: “The way last season went, we were quite lucky to finish second.

“We turned things around at the end but it was kind of a miracle we finished runners-up.

“What really disappointed us was that Leicester were able to take advantage of all the other big teams suffering and we couldn’t do the same.

“That will be a big motivation next season – to keep up with all those good teams who finished behind us.

“Of course, those big clubs will be stronger this time. That’s what I expect as they’ll start the season with a lot of new players.

“A lot of transfer business has already been done and it won’t be easy for us this time, especially with all the signings going to the other clubs.

“So we also need to be stronger and I am looking forward to seeing how well we compete for the title with not a lot of signings and a lot of young players.”

Manager Arsene Wenger insists he will spend big again.

Mertesacker hopes Wenger proves true to his word after last season’s frustrations, when Arsenal only pipped bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur to second spot on the final day.

Mertesacker accepts that simply breaking the bank is no longer guaranteed to bring success.

“You cannot predict what will happen with the other teams. Even when you have bought three or four big players, you still need to complement each other.

“So there are still a lot of questions to be answered.”

I am looking forward to seeing how well we compete for the title with not a lot of signings and a lot of young players. Per Mertesacker