Per Mertesacker: 'Hull City defeat not a disaster'

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that failure to beat Hull City in the FA Cup final next week would not be a "disaster".

The Gunners, who last won a trophy back in 2005, are odds-on favourites to end their eight-year barren spell at Wembley next Saturday.

However, despite admitting that his teammates expect to do just that, the German says that a defeat would not represent the end of the world.

"That would be a bit harsh," he told The Sun. "It wouldn't be a disaster, but our expectations are now absolutely to win the cup.

"I am not here to say that I believe we are going to fail."

The showpiece is scheduled to kick off at 5pm.