Arsenal FC are into their third final in the space of a year. On Saturday they defend their FA Cup crown at Wembley against Aston Villa (18:00 CEST). World Cup winners Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker are expected to be with the team at Wembley.
A win for Arsenal will make them outright record holders in football’s oldest competition, with twelve wins. Mertesacker is likely to lead Arsenal onto the pitch as skipper for the game. “If it happens, it would be a great honour for me to lead the team in such a game”, he confessed.
The world champion believes the club are in a much more comfortable position than they were last year when they beat Hull City 3-2 in the final. “Back then it was all about ending nine years without winning a trophy, it was a special situation”, said Mertesacker in an interview with Kicker. “We’re not under as much pressure this time so we can play more freely from the beginning.” Arsenal went 2-0 down in the final against Hull City last year.
No U-turn on retirement
The ex-Bremen player is known for having a sharp edge and he has often spoken openly about his dip in form since the World Cup. “You always want to show everyone what you can do and prove a point as a world champion, whereas it would be better to first set yourself small goals again and take things one step at a time.”
He categorically ruled out a return to the national team, however. “I won’t be coming out of retirement”, said the 104-capped ex-international, who ended his Germany career after the triumph in Brazil. “I couldn’t have found a better time to make that decision. Now it’s time for others to have the chance I had at 20, 21.”
Arsenal FC are into their third final in the space of a year. On Saturday they defend their FA Cup crown at Wembley against Aston Villa (18:00 CEST). World Cup winners Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker are expected to be with the team at Wembley.
A win for Arsenal will make them outright record holders in football’s oldest competition, with twelve wins. Mertesacker is likely to lead Arsenal onto the pitch as skipper for the game. “If it happens, it would be a great honour for me to lead the team in such a game”, he confessed.
The world champion believes the club are in a much more comfortable position than they were last year when they beat Hull City 3-2 in the final. “Back then it was all about ending nine years without winning a trophy, it was a special situation”, said Mertesacker in an interview with Kicker. “We’re not under as much pressure this time so we can play more freely from the beginning.” Arsenal went 2-0 down in the final against Hull City last year.
No U-turn on retirement
The ex-Bremen player is known for having a sharp edge and he has often spoken openly about his dip in form since the World Cup. “You always want to show everyone what you can do and prove a point as a world champion, whereas it would be better to first set yourself small goals again and take things one step at a time.”
He categorically ruled out a return to the national team, however. “I won’t be coming out of retirement”, said the 104-capped ex-international, who ended his Germany career after the triumph in Brazil. “I couldn’t have found a better time to make that decision. Now it’s time for others to have the chance I had at 20, 21.”
