29 May, 2017
He not only turned them into a dominant force in the league, but came close to sealing a domestic double after narrowly losing to Arsenal in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
"The most important thing is to give a correct evaluation of our season".
A controversial Alexis Sanchez goal opened proceedings for the Gunners, with referee Anthony Taylor over-ruling an offside decision having missed a handball from the Chilean in the build-up.
"Two weeks ago I was on holiday - I didn't expect to play", Mertesacker said.
From there, the first half was all Arsenal.
But it is the losers who still head in the offseason the most buoyant.
Just four minutes had been been played when the striker blocked a Chelsea clearance - seemingly with his hands - and burst through to put his team in the lead. Arsenal was completely dominant, something it was rarely able to claim over the past season.
The tie didn't last, though. He has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with a big-money move away from Dortmund in the summer.
"I don't mind facing criticism from supporters or from journalists, I will always try to answer it if I can, but once the game starts you should stand behind your team".
With the win, Arsenal salvaged a disappointing season in which it failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in two decades.
Wenger seemed visibly elated who pumped his fists in delight at the final whistle. For all his shortcomings this season, the way he adjusted the squad down the stretch should be commended. But he still has yet to win a cup in an impressive coaching career.
Mertesacker showed a mixture of composure, strength and leadership to patrol Arsenal's back three in his first start of the campaign. Fair play to him, he changed the system. If it is, what a way for the 32-year-old center back to go out: Lifting the FA Cup along with regular club captain Laurent Koscielny in one of the unexpected victories in recent finals.
5 years later, Conte takes a 10th placed Chelsea to league title in England.
Police made an appeal to Dortmund fans not to celebrate with pyrotechnics after more were lit behind the west-end goal.
Ramsey played a major part in the final, scoring the victor minutes after the Blues had equalised through Diego Costa, the second time he has scored the victor in the finals of the FA Cup, with the first being against Hull City in 2014.
Cy Brown writes about soccer and other stuff for Sports on Earth.
