Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits the pace of the Premier League took his breath away.

Mertesacker made a winning debut against Swansea City.

Mertesacker, signed from Werder Bremen, said: "It's all five per cent harder and faster here - the game challenges you in different ways but it was an amazing experience.

"I didn't see the goal happening, I only saw our players cheering. We needed that as you could feel a bit of insecurity on the pitch."

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