Arsenal were dominant over their London rivals Chelsea as they came back to win 2-1 at a very thrilling FA cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
The win ensured that Arsenal have picked up the domestic trophy on record 14th time, the most by any team, 2 more than their rivals Manchester United who have won it 12 times. Arsenal despite having just survived what many have refered to as probably their worse run in the league in 25years, only managed to finish the season on 10th position and had to wait till yesterday’s FA cup final to see if they can go pass Chelsea and have a chance at playing in Europa league.
Chelsea were favourites going into the final and they started on the front foot when in the 5th minute, Christian Pulisic lashsed on to a clean flick from French Striker Olivier Giroud to get the Blues in a lead and they looked in control after that, Arsenal on the other hand were taking their time to settle in the match as they were gradually moving forward and it almost paid off as Nicolas Pepe curled in an effort which was too good for Willy Cabalero in Chelsea’s goal, but the effort was disallowed as Aubameyang was adjudged to be in offside position by the linesman on the near side in the build up to the goal.
Arsenal got back into the game in the 26th minute as Aubameyang ran to meet up with a long ball over the Chelsea defence from Kerian Tienny from the back and he was brought down in the Chelsea box by Chelsea captain Ceasar Aspilicueta and referee Antony Tailor pointed to the penalty spot after confirmation from VAR, Aubameyang stepped up to slot in a well placed penalty as he sends Willy Cabalerro the wrong side to earn Arsenal an equaliser.
From the Arsenal goal, the momentum shifted to the gunners and they were in control of the ball and looked the most comfortable on the ball as Chelsea survived a very torrid time which was compounded by the loss of Aspilicueta to what seem like a serious hamstring ingury as he was taken off and replaced by the defender Andreas Christensen, and it was a goal at peice by the break
2nd 45 and Chelsea came back with some form of renewed vigor and were hoping to get the early match dominance back but their push suffered another blow as Pulisic who was making all the run forward suffered what looked like another hamstring injury and became the second Chelsea player to be taken off to be replaced by the Sparniad, Pedro Rodriguez at the FA cup final.
The gunners took the lead shortly afterwards in the 67th minute as a brilliant run from the middle by Hector Bellarin was cut short by a foul play by Andreas Chirstensen and ball found Nicolas Pepe who was having a good game. He layed on a pass to Aubameyang who was composed as he dribbled past the Kurt Zouma and chipped the ball past Caballero in goal for Frank Lampard’s men.
Matteo Kovacic saw a second yellow card for a second bookable offense in the 73rd minute and was sent off after a dangerous play on Arsenal Midfielder Granit Xhaka. The Kovacic red card killed the steam off Chelsea as Arsenal hanged on for a very famous FA cup win which would ensure Arsenal’s participation in the Europa league next season.
Opta stats: Arsenal’s FA Cup win
*Arsenal have won the FA Cup for a record 14th time, while they’ve also become the first club to beat a specific opponent in as many as three finals in the competition.
* Mikel Arteta has become the first person to both captain and manage Arsenal to victory in an FA Cup final.
*Arsenal have won each of their last seven FA Cup final appearances since 2002 – no team has had a longer run of successive final triumphs in the competition.
*Chelsea have lost three of their last 10 FA Cup final matches, with all three defeats coming against Arsenal.
*Mikel Arteta is the first Arsenal manager to win a major trophy in their first season in charge of the club since George Graham in 1986-87.
Here is to Congratulate all Arsenal fan on their remarkable FA Cup win
