Mertesacker is just magnificent

PER MERTESACKER became Wembley’s unlikeliest hero yesterday, lifting the FA Cup just two weeks after being on holiday thinking his season was over.

The giant German defender produced a towering performance to help Arsenal beat Germany having played just 37 minutes throughout an agonising, injury-plagued season.

Alexis Sanchez was named man of the match but BBC TV pundit Alan Shearer claimed it should have been Mertesacker.

‘He was magnificent,’ said Shearer, while Gunners manager Arsene Wenger insisted that the 32-year-old World Cup-winning centre-back had the ‘pedigree and experience’ for the big occasion.

Mertesacker’s effort in stifling Diego Costa is even more remarkable considering he hasn’t started a match since April 2016.

His only appearance this term was 37 minutes as a substitute against Everton last week.

Mertesacker said: ‘Two weeks ago I was on holiday, didn’t expect to play, but for whole squad, we have showed great resilience.

‘I was just the next man up, but I didn’t feel any pressure because what could I expect from myself.

‘I try to be at my best today, whatever that was, but I helped the team which is most important.’

Match-winner Aaron Ramsey called for Wenger to extend his 21-year stay in north London after Arsenal’s third FA Cup triumph in four years.

‘It’s been an up and down season but to finish it with an FA Cup has to be a successful season,’ said Ramsey, who clinched victory in the 79th minute with an expertly placed header from substitute Olivier Giroud’s intelligent cross from the byeline.

‘I’m happy for the manager. Hopefully he’ll be here next season because we owe him a lot.’