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Arsenal skipper Per Mertesacker admits he 'cannot tell' if he will be fit enough to play in the FA Cup final

Arsenal's Per Mertesacker has revealed he has no idea if he is fit enough to play in Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea but has had to prepare himself to do so.

The club captain, 32, is in contention to start with Laurent Koscielny suspended, Gabriel Paulista injured and Shkodran Mustafi battling to overcome illness.

Should Mertesacker start he would have to adjust to Arsenal's new 3-4-3 formation on only his second appearance of a season disrupted by a knee injury.

Arsenal's Per Mertesacker said 'I expect myself to be absolutely ready no matter what comes'
Arsenal's Per Mertesacker said 'I expect myself to be absolutely ready no matter what comes'

While he may have recovered, there remain significant concerns over his match fitness against the energetic Premier League champions, who scored 85 times in the process of securing a record 30 league victories, particularly given the potential for extra-time.