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Per - We can be fearless in Greece

Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker says Arsenal can “play without fear” at Olympiacos following Tuesday’s win against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners comfortably beat the Croatian champions 3-0 at Emirates Stadium, moving just three points behind Olympiacos in Champions League Group F.

Arsene Wenger’s side now need to win by two goals in Greece, or by a margin of one if they score three times, to qualify for the last 16, and Mertesacker is expecting Arsenal to play with freedom at Karaiskakis Stadium.

"Let's go there without fear, respect our opponent but keep patient until the end"

Per Mertesacker

“It was a massive win for our side and I’m delighted with how we played from the start. It was an attacking style, and we got two early goals,” he said. “We could have been three or four up at half-time and it was convincing at the end.

“We needed to win today. Everyone was on the ball from the start, we attacked well and that is something we need to continue if we want to compete for anything this season.

“It is a nightmare how we played the first two games but we have to face the truth and that is that we have to score more than one goal against Olympiacos.

“It’s possible [to qualify] and they have more to lose. We are in a more difficult situation. It will be pressure for both teams and hopefully we can handle that better

“We believe that we can score goals. You saw tonight that we are always capable of doing that. Let's go there without fear, respect our opponent but keep patient until the end.”

 

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