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Per - United display is the benchmark

Per Mertesacker says that Arsenal’s performance against Manchester United has set the benchmark for the rest of the season.

The Gunners blew Louis van Gaal’s side away with three goals in the opening 20 minutes at Emirates Stadium to seal a memorable victory.

Mertesacker says playing with “no regrets” was the key to the performance and has called on the team to repeat the display during the rest of the campaign.

"It worked completely because we gave everything from the start without any hesitation and that is what makes people happy, seeing us play in that way"

Per Mertesacker

“We always want to give the fans special moments,” he told Arsenal Player. “A special performance was absolutely required after what happened against Olympiacos.

“[We were told to] do what we are best at and to go at full intensity, especially at home. Have no regrets and to focus on our job which is to have good possession in the final third, and play with tempo and speed.

“It worked completely because we gave everything from the start without any hesitation and that is what makes people happy, seeing us play in that way.

“We need to focus on ourselves and manage to do that in the first 20 minutes like we did against Manchester United and defend the way did together as a unit. You could see all the doubts that came after the game against Olympiacos go if we remind ourselves that we are really good.

“We need to have a certain consistency [in the league] otherwise it is going to be difficult. But, if you get wins against the good teams then it will breed confidence for the whole team and we look forward to the next few Premier League games now.”