What a day for the Gunners, what a day for Per Mertesacker.
It was his first start in 392 days for Arsenal.
He’s only played 37 minutes all season for the Gunners.
He was on holiday two weeks ago, but Per Mertesacker defied all the odds at Wembley to make a remarkable return from injury and lift the FA Cup for Arsenal for a record 13th time for the North London club after their 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
Mertesacker was a rock at the heart of the Arsenal defence all day.
The 6ft 6in German, who had knee surgery last summer, combined with his fellow Arsenal defenders to make Arsenal’s Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina almost redundant for the day with a series of last-ditch interceptions, blocks and tackles.
"Two weeks ago I was already on holidays" – Per Mertesacker says he can still do it after #AFC's #FACupFinal win. pic.twitter.com/DpidqzQaaX
— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 27, 2017
The club captain wasn’t the only Arsenal player who was on form today, however.
The Gunners completely outclassed their London rivals from the first minute to the last.
Their defence was rock solid, their midfield was on top with Aaron Ramsey running the show, and their attack, lead by Sanchez, who scored this controversial opener, gave the Chelsea defence a torrid time all day.
Take another look at Alexis Sanchez goal to give Arsenal the lead #ARSvCHE #TheFACupFinal https://t.co/9T5PGiAkQA
— FOX Sports Radio1340 (@1340AMFOXSports) May 27, 2017
Diego Costa replied for Chelsea, and the Gunners faithful would’ve been worried that Antonio Conte’s Premier League title-winning side would kick on from there.
Instead, it was Arsenal who drove on, and their substitute Olivier Giroud delivered a delightful clipped cross with almost his first touch of the game, for Ramsey to head his side to victory.
https://twitter.com/afcvideo/status/868530662395060224
Arsenal were the hungrier side all day, as their players saved their best performance of what has been a poor season for them, until last.
This season was their first time in 20-years not to finish in the top four in the Premier League.
Their manager, Arsene Wenger has soldiered on through weeks of fan protests throughout the season, and his persistence has been awarded today with a record 7th FA Cup title for the 67-year-old Frenchman.
Will this victory prompt him to stay for one more season?
