Saturday 20 / April / 2024
In many ways, Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph on Saturday evening was a joyful ending to what has been a topsy-turvy season for the North London club. Few expected them to be so dominant in their 2-1 win over Chelsea, and many will argue that the score line flattered the Premier League champions to some extent after their rivals created a catalogue of goal scoring changes throughout the match, that were kept out by a combination of goalkeeping genius from Chelsea custodian Thibaut Courtois, profligacy from Arsenal’s attackers and sheer dumb luck as the goalpost was all that stopped the ball from bobbling into the back of the net.
"The three at the back has been a tactical masterclass from Arsene Wenger,” exclaimed Raja Sankar.
“The pace of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin were no match for the slow Chelsea defenders. Arsene selected a team that came in with pace and kept going at Chelsea’s defence and we all know how Chelsea are uncomfortable with pace.”
“This FA Cup is dedicated to all those who had written us off even before the final began,” crowed Obeid Peera, another Arsenal supporter. “It makes a huge difference for us, because it gives Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil a lot to think about with regards to leaving the club.
“It gives us some sort of belief going into the next season,” he added. “Moreover, with a trophy, we can hope to attract big players to the club. Having said that, we must act fast, smart and big in the transfer market.”
The match was Arsenal’s final of a woebegone season: One that has seen them finish fifth in the league table, missing out on the Champions League after 20 years of playing in the European top flight. The veteran Gunners boss – who took over the reins at Arsenal in 1996 – is out of contract in the summer, and although he is expected to stay, this game could’ve well been his swansong.
“We may have had some easy fixtures but in the last three FA Cups we’ve won, we’ve had to beat United, City, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur,” said Ahmed Al Busaidi. “This was an absolutely poor year but man does this Cup feel good. I love this club.”
“I have to say, Rob Holding is some player,” added Keith Adams. “He totally bossed Diego Costa even though that guy tried his best to rile him up. Credit where it’s due”, while Ra’ed Al Kiyumi added, “Aaron Ramsey is now never to be criticised ever again. He’s bought himself 5 seasons of immunity. We are champions again.”
A controversial Alexis Sanchez goal inside the first five minutes gave Arsenal the lead, and the Gunners then went close after the Chilean thundered over another searing drive, before Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey were both denied by a combination of Belgian goalkeeper Courtois and the upright. Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka was also thwarted by Courtois, before Chelsea’s Nigerian wingback Victor Moses received a second yellow card for diving, reducing the Stamford Bridge outfit to 10 men.
Nevertheless, their controversial talisman Diego Costa clawed them back into the game, when he held off Rob Holding to prod a shot past Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina to make it 1-1. Antonio Conte’s side’s relief was short-lived, though, as Ramsey combined with substitute Olivier Giroud almost immediately to make it 2-1.
The two players had also combined for the Welshman to score the winner in 2014, when Arsenal came from behind to beat Hull City 3-2 and break their nine-year trophy drought.
While Arsenal were fresh, bright and didn’t let the occasion get to them, Chelsea seemed to show little of the sturdiness that has made them such a difficult side to overcome this season. Their best efforts seem to come from set pieces, but were thwarted by Holding, Nacho Monreal, and club Captain PerMertesacker, who was actually making his first start of the season, having only played 127 minutes throughout the campaign.
“Shout out to the referee and his commitment to not only book Moses for diving, but give him his second yellow in a cup final - correct decision, yes, but he had courage,” exclaimed Moosa Al Busaidi. “Well done by him.”
“Congratulations Arsenal, on a good performance and making Chelsea fans just a little bit humble,” said Steve Barnes, a British fan living in Muscat. “A thoroughly deserved win.”
This FA Cup triumph was Arsenal’s 13th, making them the most successful club in the history of the world’s oldest football competition.
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