Per Mertesacker maintains Arsenal are confident they can break into the top four despite the disappointment of failing to secure all three points against Wolves.
The Gunners missed the opportunity to leapfrog Chelsea when they were frustrated by an inspired performance from visiting goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and a battling display from Mick McCarthy's men, who survived the second-half sending off of midfielder Nenad Milijas to earn a 1-1 draw.
But German defender Mertesacker insists there is still plenty to play for heading into 2012, saying: "We had a big chance to go into fourth place, but we didn't do that. It was our fault - we had a lot of chances but we didn't score."
Mertesacker, who saw his late close range header kicked away by in-form Hennessey, added: "There are some days in the life of goalkeepers where something happens like that. He was in great form and it was his day.
"Yes, we had a big chance [on Tuesday], but there are other big chances to come. We are ready to go into the top four and are confident."
At 6ft 6ins, Mertesacker is certainly a commanding presence at the heart of the Arsenal defence, and has now settled into the hustle and bustle of top-flight English football following an August deadline move from Werder Bremen.
The 27-year-old is enjoying the new challenge and said: "It is a little different between here and the Bundesliga but you get used to everything in the world and hopefully in the next month I will improve more and more.
"I am very happy to be here and to get this opportunity to build myself up."
Mertesacker added: ""It is more physical, maybe not as technical [as the Bundesliga], but the speed is much harder.
"This the best league in the world, therefore you have to improve your game, but the important thing is to show you can deal with it."
Source: PA
