Arsenal's Per Mertesacker has revealed he has no idea if he is fit enough to play in Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea but has had to prepare himself to do so.

The 32 year old would would making only his second appearance of a season disrupted by a knee injury.

Asked if he would be ready if selected by boss Arsene Wenger, Mertesacker responded: "I cannot tell you.

"I haven't played this year. But I have done this for 15 years so I expect myself to be absolutely ready no matter what comes.

"That is my mindset, no matter what happens or what is facing me on Saturday, I am going to go for it. I owe this to this team and to this club.

"I want to make sure I will be ready and my mindset is '120 minutes plus penalties'.

"(It is) completely unexpected. I made the squad because of two injuries and then I came on (on Sunday in the 3-1 defeat of Everton) due to one red card and one injury.

"It was unexpected but you need to be ready at any time. It was good to get a run out and obviously make my first appearance of the season after a long, long injury. I was very grateful I got the opportunity."