Per Mertesacker says Arsenal are desperate to continue their current form in order to remain at the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners made it seven wins from nine matches with a 2-0 result at Crystal Palace on Saturday and German defender Mertesacker insists it is now a case of continuing to improve their game and recording points consistently.
"That we have started well showed for sure we have improved a lot over the last two years," he said.
"We are in a better position. It feels much better now. We don't have to get anything back (on the other sides), so that gives us more safety and we feel much better.
"We want to surprise people more and more. That is what we need to do.
"We are in a strong and interesting position, so we are aware of it and will try to keep it - but that is the difficult thing, to keep it."
