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Per Mertesacker 'magnificent' as Arsenal captain keeps Diego Costa at bay with first start in over a year

Per Mertesacker became Wembley's unlikeliest hero yesterday, lifting the FA Cup just two weeks after being on holiday thinking his season was over.

The giant German defender produced a towering performance to help Arsenal beat Chelsea having played just 37 minutes throughout an agonising, injury-plagued season.

Alexis Sanchez was named man of the match but BBC TV pundit Alan Shearer claimed it should have been Mertesacker.

Per Mertesacker produced a towering performance to help Arsenal beat Chelsea on Saturday
Per Mertesacker produced a towering performance to help Arsenal beat Chelsea on Saturday
Captain Mertesacker lifts the FA Cup trophy alongside his jubilant team-mates
Captain Mertesacker lifts the FA Cup trophy alongside his jubilant team-mates
u00a0The 32-year-old German centre half keeps Chelsea's talismanic striker Diego Costa at bay
The 32-year-old German centre half keeps Chelsea's talismanic striker Diego Costa at bay

'He was magnificent,' said Shearer, while boss Arsene Wenger insisted the 32-year-old World Cup-winning centre-back had the 'pedigree and experience' for the big occasion.