Arsenal ready for title push, says defender Per Mertesacker believes this Arsenal side is ready for the long season ahead

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes the side's 3-1 victory against Manchester City at the weekend shows that they are ready for the new Premier League campaign.
The Gunners have had a successful pre-season this summer after picking up five wins from seven games, including the 3-1 victory against the mega-rich Premier League outfit.
Goals from Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were enough for Arsene Wenger's men to pick up the pre-season win against Manuel Pellegrini's side and German defender Mertesacker believes their performance shows that they are ready for the new season.
"I think it was a long pre-season but we did well, especially in this game against Man City," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

"That was a good finish and I think we're well prepared for the season. We have now international duty which makes it a bit difficult but I think when we come back on Thursday, we will completely focus on Aston Villa.
"That's what we are looking forward to - a good, serious win so everybody sees that we are mentally ready for a long season. We have to focus on every single match as if it's our last game. We will take care about [doing] it."
Mertesacker himself has had a very busy schedule for pre-season as he featured in both Emirates Cup ties and also the City friendly, lasting 90 minutes in all three of the matches.
"I think both teams knew that both teams have strong starting 11s and a strong squad, and it was a first taste of the Premier League season," he said.
"Everybody knew the other team would be focused, sharp and defend well so I think it was a good warm-up for the season. We think we are well prepared. We have shown that in the whole pre-season and on Saturday."