Per Mertesacker not fazed by dropped points

Per Mertesacker has admitted that Arsenal's players must "take the responsibility" for dropping two points against Hull City, but remains confident that the Gunners can bounce back from recent disappointment.

Yesterday's 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium has left the North London outfit trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by 11 points.

Despite having recorded just two wins in eight top-flight games this season, Mertesacker insists that morale among the squad is still high.

The former Germany international is quoted as saying by The Independent: "We have to take the responsibility for that, to have dropped points again, but what really makes me confident is the way that we play at the moment, because no matter what happens, we just carry on and have great potential, that just has to come out much more.

"We started really well and put the pressure on them, did a great job to score that opener and were really confident to keep on going like that, but they came back all of a sudden.

"We kept on going, even after they had scored the second. With the crowd together, we were able to come back and draw that match. We nearly scored a third, which would have been more lovely, but at least we have one point and good morale."

Arsenal travel to Anderlecht in midweek before returning to domestic when they visit Sunderland next Saturday.