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Per - It took a while to feel at home

Per Mertesacker says it took time for Arsenal to ‘feel at home’ in Saturday’s Emirates Cup opener against Napoli.

The Italian side started clinically and took a two-goal lead into half-time before Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny struck in the last 18 minutes to secure a draw.

Mertesacker was pleased with Arsenal’s second-half performance and hopes that a 90-minute display against Galatasaray on Sunday will be enough to win the tournament for the fourth time.

"Especially in the second half, we were on the front foot and started to play and create more chances"

Per Mertesacker

“I think it took us a bit of time to get used to everything here, to feel at home again,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player. “Especially in the second half, we were on the front foot and started to play and create more chances.

“It's just a draw but how we came back in the second half was amazing and I think we have to keep focused on the next game. We want to win the tournament and therefore we need [a good] first 45 minutes tomorrow.

“[Galatasaray] won today and we're going to watch the first game so we know what we need to do in the second game. It's a good thing to prepare mentally what we have to do after the first game to win this tournament. I think that was a good game for us today to be prepared for tomorrow, mentally as well."