Arsenal’s talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang labored his Wembley magic as soon as once more as they got here from behind to beat Chelsea and win the Heads Up FA Cup for a file 14th time.
Chelsea took the lead inside 5 minutes by Christian Pulisic’s sensible end however then fell sufferer to the brilliance of Aubameyang, who was additionally Arsenal’s hero when he scored twice within the semi-final win over Manchester Metropolis.
The Gabon ahead drew Arsenal degree from the penalty spot earlier than the break after he was fouled by Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, then produced a second of world-class ending to make the defining contribution to the primary behind-closed-doorways FA Cup final.
Chelsea have been hampered by a primary-half damage to Azpilicueta and have been struggling even additional once they misplaced the excellent Pulisic to a hamstring downside after the break.
Because the Blues battled to beat these setbacks, the good Aubameyang was capable of give Mikel Arteta silverware in his first season because the Gunners’ supervisor.
Aubameyang, who Arsenal are understandably determined to safe on a brand new lengthy-time period contract, turned Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma inside out within the 67th minute earlier than delivering probably the most audacious end, chipping over keeper Willy Caballero from an angle.
Chelsea’s agony elevated additional when Matteo Kovacic was very harshly despatched off for a second yellow card, awarded by referee Anthony Taylor for probably the most innocuous of challenges on Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal closed out the win to safe a spot within the Europa League subsequent season however it was bitter disappointment for Chelsea supervisor Frank Lampard on the conclusion of his first marketing campaign in cost.
Arteta’s successful feeling
Arteta’s delight on the final whistle was apparent as he secured his first main trophy as a supervisor, having solely succeeded Unai Emery in December.
There have been some combined moments – however in current weeks, Arsenal have proven their growth by defeating new Premier League champions Liverpool and ending Manchester Metropolis’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup by beating them to succeed in the final. Now the Gunners have the trophy of their arms after seeing off Chelsea.
In every sport they’ve proven character, braveness and resilience – all qualities they’ve commonly been accused of missing – and have a world-class spearhead in Aubameyang.
A participant of that calibre makes the distinction within the large video games. Aubameyang has proven that, making Wembley his private playground in each the semi-final and the final.
It could have been a surreal event, this FA Cup final performed in a nearly abandoned Wembley and lacking a lot of the standard ceremony and ambiance, however the pleasure of victory was nonetheless relished by Arteta and his gamers and rightly so.
And when the celebrations finish, Arsenal will know with much more certainty what their summer time precedence should be, even above any acquisitions.
Arsenal should discover a option to preserve Aubameyang. Their trigger is helped by having the ability to supply him European soccer, albeit the Europa League moderately than the Champions League.
He’s fairly merely a expertise that offers Arsenal one other dimension of hazard. He’s a match-winner – and on this occasion, an FA Cup final winner.
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