Friday, April 19, 2024
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a brace as Arsenal came from 0-1 down to beat Chelsea 2-1 and win the FA Cup at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Ironically Arsenal had beaten Chelsea 2-1 when they had last won the FA Cup under Arsene Wenger in 2017. Arsenal extended their record to 14 FA cup titles with this win.
But this time it was Mikel Arteta who trumped Frank Lampard with his tactical moves. It was Chelsea who started on the right note when 21-year-old Christian Pulisic became the first American man to score in an FA Cup final inside five minutes.
Arsenal, however, regained control through the equaliser from a penalty by Aubameyang in the 18th minute. The sides went into half-time locked at 1-1.
A year into this pandemic-disrupted, longest-ever English season, Azpilicueta hobbled off injured in tears before halftime. Pulisic only lasted a minute after the break before also pulling up with an apparent hamstring injury.
With Chelsea unsettled by the injuries, Arsenal took control and Aubameyang chipped goalkeeper Willy Caballero from close range in the 67th.
It not only sealed Arsenal’s fourth FA Cup in seven seasons. but a place in the Europa League, having only finished eighth in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s hopes of forcing the game into extra time were dealt a blow when Mateo Kovacic received a second yellow card in the 73rd after softly catching Granit Xhaka. Chelsea finished with nine men in stoppage time when Pedro was forced off with a shoulder injury.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
