Arsenal's Per Mertesacker: 'We lacked cutting edge in final third against Chelsea'

Centre-back Per Mertesacker has admitted that Arsenal weren't at their best in the final third during this afternoon's goalless draw with Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Gunners would have closed the gap to league leaders Chelsea to six points had they claimed victory today, but a draw means that the deficit remains at 10 points.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Mertesacker said: "We gave everything today; had a couple of chances, defended really well. Performance-wise, it was a good one, but not enough to get the vital three points we needed to compete for first place.

"I think last season was worse against the top teams, especially away from home, but at home we play on the front foot, as always. Today we deserved a point, we defended really well against a top team.

"But we could have done better in the final third. We had a couple of counter-attacks and we lacked the last pass maybe today."

By failing to win, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has still never beaten Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho in 13 attempts.