Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has insisted that retaining the FA Cup would be great achievement for the team and the players.

The Gunners booked yet another Wembley date as they beat Championship outfit Reading in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and will now face Tim Sherwood's Aston Villa in the final on 30th May.




Describing it as a special achievement, the former German international added that it would be a "great honour" for his side if they could manage to win the FA Cup this time around as well.

After the disappointment of the Champions League, the 30-year-old insists that it was important for them to respond strongly. And now that they have managed to do that it will be important that they continue their run in the FA Cup.
 


"I am delighted that we are back at Wembley – that is a fantastic achievement for this group for the second consecutive time”, Mertesacker told his club's official website.

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The former Werder Bremen player also took time to speak about the tough nature of their opposition on Saturday, making it difficult for Arsene Wenger's men to reach the goal.

“It was a really tough game and we knew before that they would fight for their lives and give absolutely everything to keep us away from their goal and they did it fantastically. We are just delighted that we made it again.

“It is a little progress [and] it would be a great honour, back to back FA Cup wins. We were knocked out of the Champions League and that was a big blow for us but after that we responded and it is a great achievement. Let’s continue our great run.

“We just wanted to win and do something fantastic for the team and the group. You can see everyone is absolutely happy and delighted.”

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