Top-four bid is not Per-shaped
The Gunners currently sit seventh in the standings after poor results early in the campaign hindered their progress. Arsene Wenger's men seem to be getting back on course having won their last two league encounters at home to Stoke and Sunderland. And German centre-back Mertesacker, a summer arrival at Emirates Stadium from Werder Bremen, insists finishing in the top four, as well as progressing in the UEFA Champions League, are Arsenal's main objectives. "The table is very important for us now," Mertesacker told Sky Sports News. "To be in the first four is kind of a target everybody has at this club. In the Champions League we want to go through. It's a hard wait. "I'm very confident and I think we'll do this." Mertesacker arrived at Arsenal on transfer deadline day and admits not being able to get acquainted with the team in pre-season has made it more difficult to settle in North London. But the 27-year-old feels things are coming together now the players who arrived late in the transfer window are better adjusted. "We have no time to do lots of work together but we have to use the games and work hard as a team," he added. "If we have no pre-season it's a difficult situation but now I've had my pre-season and we are doing well."