Per Mertesacker has apologised for missing a good chance in Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The German defender had one of the Gunners' better opportunities against a resolute Chelsea defence, but dragged his shot wide of Thibaut Courtois's goal after the break.

"I rushed myself. When you are a defender in that position, you still need to learn how to deal with those situations," he told the club's official website.

"I rushed a bit, nobody told me that I had time. It came out of a set-piece and it was more than a coincidence. Our focus was strong today."

The result did little to derail the Blues' Premier League title bid, with Jose Mourinho's side still 10 points clear of second-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.