PER MERTESACKER says Arsenal are fourth for a reason - "We don't deserve to be in the top three".
Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal will come back stronger next season[GETTY]The Gunners central defender has offered a damning critique of their season, saying they have to learn to defend in big away games.
Arsenal went top of the Premier League in the middle of September and stayed there, apart from three days over Christmas, until the beginning of February. The belief, certainly inside the club, was that Arsenal could offer a serious title challenge.
That dissolved with heavy defeats at key rivals Liverpool and Chelsea after a strong recovery following December's 6-3 mauling at Manchester City.
In those three games they shipped 17 goals. At Anfield they were 3-0 down after 16 minutes, at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea hit three in the first 17. Then with serious doubts about Arsenal's ability to finish even in the top four, they went to rivals Everton at the beginning of this month, conceded two in the first 34 minutes and lost 3-0.
Mertesacker says the players have to learn from these brutal lessons.
"We were top of the League for a long time and everyone dreamed of maybe getting the title," he said. "But it takes more than just to stay top until the winter period. We couldn't afford those away games against big teams. So we didn't deserve to be in the first three.
Arsenal were left humiliated after visiting Stamford Bridge [GETTY]How we came back as a team, that makes us stronger for the future
"That is something for next year that we have to manage much better than this year. The early away games killed us this year. Hopefully we can learn from that.
"Those games killed the first three spots. Especially those away games, those early games, we have to learn quickly how to play and how to defend in the first 20 to 25 minutes.
"When you go there and they try to get you on the break, it was very similar in each game. The first 20 minutes we lost some balls in the middle of the park, they got us on the break, and that is something we have to look at next year."
The mood at the Emirates is upbeat again after Newcastle were dispatched on Monday night leaving Arsenal requiring one victory from their final two games to ensure qualification for the Champions League. They could even do it without kicking a ball if Everton lose to Manchester City on Saturday.
"Everyone questioned our qualities and our football," said Mertesacker. "How we came back as a team, that makes us stronger for the future.
"We can learn a lot about ourselves from this. Last year we managed to deal with an even more difficult situation. Ten games to go, no one expected us to be in the top four. This year with a couple of injuries we struggled heavily but we regrouped very well and how we managed this situation was even more important maybe than last year. It's not safe yet, but we have it in our own hands."
Mesut Ozil has come into some form at the end of the campaign [GETTY]Mertesacker says the return of his fellow German Mesut Ozil has come at just the right time. He played 70 minutes against Newcastle, scored the second goal and made the third with a pinpoint cross for Giroud to bury.
His passing was superb, with 94 per cent accuracy, and he made six chances against the Magpies. He has also benefited massively from the return of Aaron Ramsey to the side and the pair work well in tandem to give Arsenal more penetration.
"Mesut can make the difference with his runs in between and his assists all the time," said Mertesacker. "He can play the final, vital ball to set up other players.
"The first Premier League season is always tough for anyone. It's good to have a little break with the injury and he could maybe think about what happened in the last couple of months. That little review maybe helped him come back quickly to the pitch.
"It is very important that he is back for the last couple of games."
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