Gunners banking on ‘miracle’

Defender Per Mertesacker hopes Arsenal can produce their own “miracle” night in Monte Carlo next month after admitting poor defending looks to have left them on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League against Monaco.

Mertesacker accepts Arsenal’s troubles are all of their own making, the 6ft 7ins German having been one of those caught out of position, but believes all is not yet lost ahead of the trip to Stade Louis II on March 17, when they will have to score at least three against a team who had conceded just two in 17 matches before Wednesday night.