Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has praised Per Mertesacker ahead of his former club’s meeting with Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
The Gunners will attempt to win their third FA Cup in four seasons at Wembley, while Antonio Conte’s side will look to secure a domestic league and cup double, having already won the Premier League this term.
Arsene Wenger’s hands are somewhat tied when it comes to team selection as Laurent Koscielny is set to miss out through suspension, while Gabriel and Shkodran Mustafi are injured.
The injuries and suspension mean Mertesacker could start in the centre of defence, and Henry was keen to praise him ahead of the match.
Writing in his column in the Sun, Henry said: “If they win, it might be Per Mertesacker lifting the cup. He’s a great leader, determined. The dressing room trusts him.
“He reminds me of Jens Lehmann. He will tell you how it is, like it or not, if it’s for the good of the team.
“He’s captain for a reason. Arsene Wenger must think he’s good enough to do a job or he wouldn’t be there.
“But it’s not about Per. The whole team has to be ready and buying into the plan and the philosophy of how Arsenal want to play.”
The 32-year-old has been a bit-part player this season after a knee injury ravaged most of his campaign and he only made one appearance, as a substitute in the 3-1 win against Everton.
The sides have already met twice in the league this season and have each got one win to their name.
In the first tie between the teams, in September, the Gunners ran out 3-0 winners at the Emirates as goals from Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott handed them a huge victory.
However in February, Conte’s side bounced back to win 3-1 in the second meeting of the season as Marcos Alonso, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas all netted before Olivier Giroud bagged a late consolation goal.
Henry made more than 368 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal during his eight-season stint at the club, scoring 226 goals and providing 67 assists.
The Frenchman was part of two Premier League winning teams, and also won two FA Cups while at the club.