Saturday, 12th April, 2014
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker has praised his side for their 4-2 penalty shootout FA Cup semi-final victory over Wigan Athletic today.
Mertesacker brought down Callum McManaman in the box just after the hour mark, allowing Jordi Gomez to fire home from the spot and put Arsenal behind.
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The Gunners pushed and pressed Wigan for an equaliser, striking the post and seeing an effort hacked off the line.
The goal did come through and Mertesacker was the hero for Arsenal, heading home with just eight minutes left.
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No further goals arrived in extra-time and penalties settled the contest, Arsenal emerging as winners 4-2, with Wigan missing their first two spot-kicks.
And Mertesacker feels the Gunners showed character to progress to the FA Cup final.
"I think we have great character", he told ITV.
"A lot of people have been questioning that recently, but the way we came back proved a lot."
The German also felt that Arsenal deserved their victory due to a strong second half performance.
"I think so [that Arsenal deserved to win] because of the second half.
"The first half we were a bit timid, but in the second half I think we hit the post twice and we had a couple of good chances so it was a good comeback."
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