Mertesacker stands tall in Arsenal’s FA Cup title win

Per Mertesacker hardly had the ideal preparation for the FA Cup final.

The Arsenal defender was starting a match for the first time in 392 days, was unsure he would be able to last 90 minutes, had never played as part of a back three, and was lining up in a new-look and makeshift defence against one of the most potent attacks in English soccer.

Mertesacker didn’t let any of that show.

With the captain’s armband strapped around his left bicep, the lanky former Germany international bestrode the Wembley Stadium turf in the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday, showing all the authority of a 104-cap veteran. Intercepting passes nonchalantly. Sliding in for last-ditch clearances. Barking orders and organizing the defence.

Mertesacker was immense throughout, with the only blot on his display — much to his misfortune — coming when he stuck out his right foot to deflect Diego Costa’s shot past his own goalkeeper, David Ospina, for Chelsea’s 76th-minute equalizer.

Arsenal scored again almost immediately, through Aaron Ramsey, and Mertesacker ended up deservedly on the winning side.

When the final whistle blew on Arsenal’s record 13th FA Cup title and a record seventh for manager Arsene Wenger, Mertesacker trotted over to Ospina and they shared a long and warm embrace in the penalty area. He did the same with Rob Holding, the defender who Mertesacker marshalled through the final.

It might be Mertesacker’s final match in an Arsenal jersey after six years in north London. If it is, what a way for the 32-year-old centre back to go out: Lifting the FA Cup along with regular club captain Laurent Koscielny in one of the unexpected victories in recent finals.

“Per Mertesacker, for me, is a fantastic example for any young professional football player,” Wenger said. “What he did today was just a consequence of an unbelievable attitude every day, even if he was not selected in the squad until the Everton game (on the final day of the English Premier League).

“He played his first game tonight and that’s the reward of when he was not selected, he worked even harder. That’s why I will play special tribute to him.”