Wake up! Mertesacker slams Arsenal's early kick-off woes... and sorry Per, but here's the EIGHTEEN goals they've conceded



Per Mertesacker wants Arsenal to avoid any more early alarm calls away from home after Chelsea became the latest team to catch them napping in a lunchtime kick-off.



Saturday's 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge could have ended the Gunners' Barclays Premier League title ambitions, and followed a worrying pattern for Arsenal after they conceded six in a 12.45pm kick-off away to Manchester City early in the season before going down 5-1 to Liverpool in a lunchtime match at Anfield last month.



'I don't know why, but it looks like we don't fancy early kick-offs away,' Mertesacker said.

Scroll down for every goal the Gunners have conceded in 12 .45 kick-offs



Why? Per Mertesacker (2L) cannot understand why Arsenal keep losing 12.45pm kick-offs to title rivals

Frontrunners: Chelsea celebrate going seven points clear of Arsenal after a 6-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge

A right kerfuffle: Kieran Gibbs was sent off, despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being guilty of handball

Unhappy anniversary! Arsene Wenger's 1000th game as Arsenal boss was one of the worst in his career

'It looks like we are going to have to apply to the FA to not play at 12.45 away. That would help us a lot.'



Arsene Wenger's 1,000th match in charge of Arsenal could hardly have got off to a worse start as Chelsea scored twice in the opening eight minutes through Samuel Eto'o and Andre Schurrle.



There was controversy when Kieran Gibbs was sent off for a handball by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 17th minute, but no doubt it was a penalty and Eden Hazard put Chelsea 3-0 up from the spot before an Oscar brace and Mohamed Salah's first Chelsea goal completed the rout against an Arsenal side who appeared overrun in midfield even with 11 men.

German engineering: Andre Schurrle fires past Laurent Koscielny as Chelsea staked their claim for the title

Early start: Raheem Sterling celebrates during Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield on February 14 'We wanted to start very strong and show people we are good enough, but they scored the two very early goals,' Mertesacker said.

'We lost some balls when we tried to keep it desperately. They then caught us on the counter-attack. We tried to avoid that. But we missed it completely.

'There was not much difference before the red card, but afterwards it was even harder to come back, especially when it goes to 3-0 and 10 men so early.'



And again: Alvaro Negredo (C) scores during Manchester City's 6-3 defeat of Arsenal on December 14 2013

Play it again Sam! Eto'o got Chelsea off to a blistering start with the opening goal after only five minutes

Slim and none: Defeat leaves Arsenal fourth in the league, with their title hopes hanging by a balance The loss leaves Arsenal seven points behind Chelsea, and although they have a game in hand momentum does not appear to be with them as they sit fourth with Liverpool and Manchester City both going well ahead of them.

There could be twists and turns to come, however, not least with City having to travel to both Liverpool and Arsenal after this week's Manchester derby, and Chelsea also facing a trip to Anfield, giving Mertesacker hope.



'We must put this behind us now, show our character and bounce back on Tuesday night against Swansea at the Emirates Stadium,' he said.



'It's a good opportunity to react quickly after this result.'



WAKE UP... ARSENAL'S CONCEDED GOALS IN 12.45 KICK OFFS

Date Minute Player Opposition Time

24/08/2013 77 Bent Fulham 14:20:20

14/12/2013 14 Agüero Man City 12:58:21

14/12/2013 39 Negredo Man City 13:23:20

14/12/2013 50 Fernandinho Man City 13:54:48

14/12/2013 66 Silva Man City 14:10:05

14/12/2013 88 Fernandinho Man City 14:32:00

14/12/2013 90 Yaya Touré Man City 14:40:02

08/02/2014 1 Skrtel Liverpool 12:47:42

08/02/2014 10 Skrtel Liverpool 12:56:19

08/02/2014 16 Sterling Liverpool 13:02:51

08/02/2014 20 Sturridge Liverpool 13:06:09

08/02/2014 52 Sterling Liverpool 13:56:23

22/03/2014 5 Eto'o Chelsea 12:49:33

22/03/2014 7 Schürrle Chelsea 12:51:46

22/03/2014 17 Hazard Chelsea 13:01:43

22/03/2014 42 Oscar Chelsea 13:26:29

22/03/2014 66 Oscar Chelsea 14:09:18

22/03/2014 71 Salah Chelsea 14:14:12