Per Mertesacker has still got it.
If anyone doubted it, the captain responded with a stellar performance in the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley.
Making his first start of an injury-hit campaign, Per led the back line expertly with block after block and tackle after tackle to keep Chelsea at bay.
After the game, another centre back who knows a thing or two about winning finals led the tributes - Martin Keown.
“They should name this after Per Mertesacker,” said the three-time FA Cup winner. “This should be called The Mertesacker Final, because I can’t believe the performance he put in.
“The pressure he must have been under. He’s been out, he’s played one game this season and it’s the biggest game of the season. To perform as he did, the three seemed to suit him actually.
“We’ve not seen him in a three really because he’s been almost last in line. He was magnificent, as all the players were.
“Perhaps it was Arsene Wenger’s finest hour.”
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