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Theo Walcott’s 20th goal of the season after 20 seconds was enough to move the Gunners a step closer to a top-four finish.
But with rivals Chelsea and Tottenham clashing on Wednesday, Mertesacker knows all Arsenal can do is concentrate on winning their final two games against relegation strugglers Wigan and Newcastle.
Mertesacker said: “Chelsea against Spurs is a good game for us, but both have it still in their own hands.
“We are in a holding position. We can’t do anything on Wednesday.
“Anyway, we have to win both the games that are coming. We have to keep focused and be confident.
“We have teams to face who are under pressure. I think that makes it good for us and that we keep our focus on a very high level.”
Mertesacker was so impressed with QPR he thought it was a “miracle” they are already relegated.
And it is true Rangers gave Arsenal some nervous moments, especially when Loic Remy forced a brilliant save out of Wojciech Szczesny in the final 10 minutes.
But the opening 20 seconds showed why the not-so-Super Hoops prop up the Premier League.
If you have just been relegated amid accusations of a lack of commitment, surely you start your next game, in front of your own fans, with more concentration and desire?
Not Rangers. The only touch they had on the ball before it was in the net was former Gunner Armand Traore’s inexplicably poor header. Seconds later, the ball was at the feet of Walcott as Traore’s fellow full back Tal Ben Haim, played him onside from Mikel Arteta’s pass.
Something else to smile about for Jose Bosingwa, who was not in the squad of 18 after last week’s upbeat reaction to relegation. In the past, you could have held an interesting spot-the-ball competition on what Walcott would do with such an opportunity. Not any more.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: “I’m certain you remember him — when he arrived in front of goal the ball could go anywhere.
“Now you see every time he hits the target, he is forcing the keeper into a save. That’s why his numbers are so much better.
“Twenty goals in a season is a good return. He is more mature in his finishing. Today his goal was similar to the one he scored against Man Utd. It’s a short backlift, he makes good runs and he is calm now in front of goal.”
Speaking of maturity, Szczesny is also showing signs of growing up.Confidence is important for all players, especially goalkeepers.
Szczesny was never over-burdened by self-doubt while he waited in the wings for his chance.
But after becoming Wenger’s No 1 his brashness led to mistakes and misjudgements.
Losing his place to fellow Pole Lukasz Fabianski, who is fit again and pushing for a return, appears to have helped him. A fizzing shot by Andros Townsend and a couple of crosses were all Szczesny had had to deal with until Remy unleashed a curling shot in the 83rd minute.
Wenger said: “Did I think it was in? Honestly, yes. Remy took the shot very well and very early and you needed a special save today.
“First when I saw him dive I thought he would not get there, but he extended his final resource very well and he got there. He’s tall.
“It was a great save. It shows the importance of a goalkeeper. We needed him once today and he got there.
“Yes, it’s good for him to have competition. I must give him credit because in this competition he has responded very well.
“When he came back he was sharper than when I left him out. That’s what you have seen with people like Seaman and Lehmann, when I took them out, they came back stronger. He does that well, he’s in a good frame of mind now.”
This Arsenal team are, of course, some way off the title-winning sides of Seaman and Lehmann.
The Gunners were unconvincing going forward, with Lukas Podolski disappointing in the central role.
True, it took some decent saves from Robert Green to keep QPR in it — including one sharp stop from Walcott to push the ball on to a post — and some stout defending by Clint Hill in particular.
But Arsenal allowed Rangers back into the game when their hosts improved in the second half, with Townsend particularly impressive.
Wigan and Newcastle, teams with everything still to play for, may well provide more nervous moments.
Source : thesun
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