Mertesacker: Arsenal players are behind Szczesny despite mistake

Per Mertesacker has told talkSPORT that Arsenal’s players are all behind Wojciech Szczesny despite his error, which saw them concede their first goal in four games.

On the stroke of half-time he dropped a cross which allowed Southampton full-back Danny Fox to fire home their consolation goal as the Gunners ran out 6-1 winners.

And Mertesacker has revealed that, despite initially being frustrated, he and his team-mates are backing Szczesny to bounce back and play a key part in the next few games.

“It’s his first game after a bad injury so he needs time but he’s very important for us,” he told talkSPORT.

“We didn’t concede a goal this season in three matches so we wanted to stay like this all the time.

“It was disappointing but everyone makes mistakes. We’re a team and we have to stick together especially in such moments.

“Our goalkeeper is important for us, especially in the next few matches. We’re happy to have him here. That wasn’t our first thought, but our second.

“We have to keep our chins up, especially him.”