Per Mertesacker says Arsenal can take some solace from their 2-0 win at Monaco in the Champions League.
Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey scored but the Gunners were knocked out on away goals after their 3-1 first-leg defeat at Emirates Stadium.
Despite their European exit, Mertesacker was pleased with Arsenal’s all-round performance at Stade Louis II.
"We have another win in our pocket and that gives you the confidence you need, especially at the end of the season when you are more fatigued"
Per Mertesacker
“We played well, especially at the back," he said. "They didn’t create any chances and that was our first target - to defend well and continue our run of good games, especially defensively.
“We have a great run of games and form, and we are confident, even defensively. There are so many doubters out there but we proved again we can play on a good defensive level and compete at the top level.
“In the first game, we didn’t have that mental level you need to compete at the highest level. That was missing but you could see in the second how good we are as a team and how well organised we can be. We need to consider that every day in training and in games.
“For now, we have another win in our pocket and that gives you the confidence you need, especially at the end of the season when you are more fatigued. We have a good depth in the squad and that gives us a lift as well.”
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