Mertesacker urges Gunners to press on

Per Mertesacker has warned Arsenal must “switch off” from the frustration and disappointment of their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich to avoid losing ground in the domestic title race.

The Gunners lost 2-0 to the reigning European champions at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night in a match where club-record signing Mesut Ozil had a tame early penalty saved before goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for tripping Arjen Robben in the box.

Bayern full-back David Alaba sent the resultant spot-kick against the post but there was to be no great escape for the English side as eventually Bayern’s patient build-up was rewarded when Manchester United target Toni Kroos fired home a 20-yard effort and substitute Thomas Muller headed in a late second to all but kill off the tie.