Long-standing German international and Arsenal centre back Per Mertesacker has told the club’s official website that his side relish the occasion when they play at Wembley Stadium.
This of course comes as the Gunners prepare for their Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The two sides both had successful seasons in 2014/15, with the Blues regaining the Premier League under Jose Mourinho’s guidance, whilst Arsene Wenger’s men defended their 2014 FA Cup win by securing the trophy again a year later.
Mertesacker, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany just three months after his first ever FA Cup win, has spoken of the capabilities of his team ahead of Sunday’s tie: “There’s always been that special tension and we could always handle that pressure.
“Even at 2-0 down, we always managed to deal with different situations.”
Talking of being 2-0 down, he is referring to the 2014 FA Cup final at Wembley, when Hull City were two goals to the good inside eight minutes after kick-off, but goals from Laurent Koscielny, Santi Cazorla and then an extra-time winner from Man of the Match Aaron Ramsey saw the Gunners end a massive trophy drought.
Mertesacker continued, saying: “Winning a trophy would add to the team’s confidence, especially a week before the season starts. This match shows how good, how fit the team are and it’s also a reflection of how well we’ve prepared over pre-season.”
The big German also lauded Chelsea for their consistency last season and insisted that it is such performance levels which bring trophies – and he wants his side to produce this in the season ahead.
Arsenal came 3rd last season but with Manchester United in particular having strengthened considerably ahead of the new campaign, the battle for top spot will be possibly the tightest yet, with both Manchester sides and Chelsea likely to provide gruelling tests when they arrive at the Emirates.
