Mertesacker - Nothing is sealed yet

Per Mertesacker insists Arsenal will approach Sunday’s final league game of the season with total focus and commitment.

Arsène Wenger’s side host West Bromwich Albion knowing that a point will secure third place in the Premier League.

Only an unlikely series of events - Manchester United are three points behind the Gunners with an inferior goal difference - will prevent the Gunners from securing direct qualification for next season’s Champions League, but Mertesacker says the squad will take nothing for granted.

“Nothing is sealed yet,” he told the matchday programme. “We feel comfortable but it’s not decided yet.

“We have another home game and we want to win it. We can’t play for a draw or not to lose by a certain amount of goals.

“That’s not our game. We want to go for it with a positive mindset and in an attacking way.”

Arsenal’s vice-captain is expecting West Brom to pose a tough challenge on Sunday.

“They can play with freedom and we have a bit of an uncertainty,” he said. “Nothing is sealed yet so we have to play our game and not look anywhere else.

“That’s what makes us strong - when we focus on ourselves. That’s what we have done well this season.

“The progress is there but it’s another quality to finish it off. We haven’t done it yet and that is a little bit of an uncertainty.”