Per Mertesacker has admitted that Arsenal were always on the back foot during their 2-0 loss to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Arsenal managed to qualify as runners-up in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, and Mertesacker claims that the Premier League leaders struggled to produce their best after starting the night top of the group.

"We were always on the back foot, we took a little break today I think but we will be back on Saturday," the German defender told Sky Sports News.

"It's always the same, you give 10% less mentally because we knew we were through."

Arsenal will look to recover from this defeat when they face Manchester City on Saturday.