Lee Dixon has picked Per Mertesacker as his man of the match on Twitter for his commanding display during Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph against Chelsea.
Mertesacker, 32, started his first game of the season after finally overcoming a knee injury that he sustained in a pre-season friendly before the start of the 2016-17 campaign.
Arsenal secured their 13th FA Cup win in the club’s history with a 2-1 win at Wembley Stadium, as Chelsea went down to 10 men in the second half with Victor Moses picking up a second yellow.
Ex-Gunners right-back Dixon claimed on his personal Twitter account that the towering defender deserved the man of the match plaudits despite Alexis Sanchez officially being chosen, describing the defender as “superb”.
What a performance. Mom PM for me. Superb
— Lee Dixon ??? (@LeeDixon2) May 27, 2017
Club captain Mertesacker, who has amassed a huge 104 caps for Germany, remained on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes as the Gunners earned Arsene Wenger’s seventh FA Cup winners’ medal of his career.
Goals from Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey saw the Gunners run out 2-1 winners, despite Diego Costa’s equaliser during the second half.
Former Werder Bremen defender Mertesacker dealt with Costa with aplomb in a three-man defence with youngster Rob Holding and left-back Nacho Monreal.
Chelsea’s attacking stars, such as Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian, struggled to find a way through as the Gunners’ makeshift defence held firm to end a disappointing season on a high.