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Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker out to make the most of 'completely unexpected' FA Cup final chance as he prepares for first start of the season

Arsenal's injury crisis has handed captain Per Mertesacker an unlikely opportunity to start his first match of the season in Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea and the German centre back plans to make the most of it.

Mertesacker, who underwent knee surgery after picking up an injury during a friendly last July, was sidelined all season until he came off the bench in Arsenal's final Premier League game against Everton on Sunday.

The 32-year-old now looks set to start at Wembley with fellow defenders Laurent Koscielny (suspended) and Gabriel Paulista (knee injury) out of the final, while Shkodran Mustafi (concussion) and Kieran Gibbs (thigh injury) are major doubts.