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| Edited By: Sumedh Sengaonkar |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 10:35 PM IST
What a great match we've had. For now, it's signing off. Till then have a good time.
It's Full-time at The Wembley. Celebrations in North London. Arsenal create history by retaining the title for second time outrunning rivals Manchester United with 12 FA Cup titles to their name. Aston Villa leave this season empty handed, just surviving relegation. Effectively the last game for Benteke as an Arsenal player too. Wenger to lift his 6th FA Cup title. But anyhow, a brilliant and professional performance by the Gunners. Not a single booking for them. Arsenal win 4-0 and lift their 12th FA Cup Title.
90+3' GIROOOOUUUUDDD!!! Beautiful flick from the Frenchman to give the Gunners their favourite number, fourth goal. Ox-Chambo with the assist.
90' Just three minutes separate Arsenal from their Glory. The referee signs for three minutes of additional time.
89' SUBSTITUTION. A standing ovation from the fans as Sanchez leaves the field. His stunner just changed the complexion of the game. Alex Oxalade-Chamberlain replaces him.
87' Just minutes left into the game and Aston Villa pushing men forward for at least a consolation goal. Arsenal meanwhile looking more relaxed now. Maintaining possession and controlling passes.
82' YELLOW CARD FOR AGBONLAHOR. This is the fifth booking for Aston Villa.
80' WAS THAT A PENALTY?? Agbonlahor is fouled by the scorer, Mertasacker, just outside the penalty box. But the referee waives off all protests. That wasn't a penalty but surely was a foul.
77' DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION. Wenger making two subs in a go. Walcott and Ozil are replaced by Giroud and Wilshere.
76' That could have been four and a brace for Walcott. Ozil lays a peach of a cross for an onside Walcott. He collects the ball well but tries to chip it over the keeper in a one-on-one situation but fails horribly.
75' With just fifteen minutes to go, Aston Villa don't see any way coming back to this game. Arsenal on the other hand playing absolutely professionally. Not a single booking for the Gunners.
71' SUBSTITUTION. Final one for Aston Villa. Carlos Sanchez comes on for Westwood.
68' SUBSTITUTION. Second sub for the Villans. Richardson is done for the day, Bacuna replaces him.
62' THE CAPTAIN IS ON THE SCORESHEET!!! Arsenal now running riot at The Wembley. A set piece goal. The tall Per Mertesacker rises above his marker Benteke to head the ball into the back of the net. That might seal the 12th title to Arsenal. 3-0 to the Gunners.
60' Given definitely the man of the match for Aston Villa. He has made some crucial saves but couldn't keep the two stunning strikes from Walcott and Sanchez from going in the back of the net.
57' Arsenal looking absolute ruthless in their attack. Not giving a single minute for Aston Villa to breathe. Continuous attacking football by the Gunners
52' SUBSTITUTION. Straight away from Aston Villa. Agbonlahor replaces N'Zogbia.
52' YELLOW CARD FOR WESTWOOD. Fourth booking for the Villan's compared to none by Arsenal.
50' SANCHEZ STUNNERRR!!!! Absolute class from the Chiliean. He fools everyone with a fake attempted pass. Instead goes himself for a superb curling effort from almost 25-yard out. Given is stunned. He didn't see that coming. Aston Villa will have a tough time to get back into this game.
45' The players make their way back to the field for the second half.
There is the Half-time whistle. Arsenal go into the break with a slender 1-0 lead. A superb half volley from Theo Walcott just before half-time ensure Arsenal go upfront. Aston Villa looked solid with their defence but broke out just on the cusp of half-time. Stay tuned for the second half.
45' The assistant referee shows that there will be two minutes of added time.
43' What an amazing week the England international is having. A hat-trick on Sunday against West-Brom and now a crucial first goal in the FA Cup final.
GREAT goal from @theowalcott! Come on, @Arsenal!! #FACupFinal
— Eric Addison (@EricAddison) May 30, 2015
40' WALCOTT BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!!!!!! The goal was coming..wasn't it? Monreal is onside and whips in a cross towards the goal. Koscienly gets his head to it but it falls in an open area with no players. The run machine Walcott come rushing and hits a superb half-volley. 1-0 to Arsenal.
37' YELLOW CARD FOR DELPH. Aston Villa pathetic with their discipline. A third booking as the Captain is booked for pulling back Ozil.
33' YELLOW CARD FOR HUTTON. Second booking for Aston Villa as Hutton goes into referee's cards following a tackle on Sanchez.
30' Half hour into the game and still nothing separates the two sides. Arsenal looking well dominating, with both possession and attack. As for the Villans, they are looking to slow down the tempo of the game. Controlled passes and keeping possession.
25' Frustration for Arsenal. The Gunners clearly dominating the game. They must have had half a dozen shots on target but failing to score. They have gone close to scoring for most of the time.
20' Arsenal having the chances but failing to take them. Ramsey the latest one who failed to convert. He is on point blank range to score but his shot goes well above the crossbar due to pressure form oncoming defenders.
15' SHAY GIVEN IS FOR VILLA'S RESCUE. Brilliant play from Sanchez . He twists and turns in the box before delivering a cross to Koscienly. The Frenchman is there to head it away but Given reacts instantaneously to keep Villa in the game. Superb save.
13' YELLOW CARD FOR CLEVERLY. The former Man United player goes in the referee's book for a challenge on Monreal.
10' Second corner for Arsenal. This one too being cleared from the box. Arsenal not capitalising on both their set-pieces. Meanwhile Benteke making a rash challenge on Santi Cazorla near the post and just outside the penalty box. He will be lucky to escape without a booking.
6' Now Benteke is caught offside. A couple of good passes from the Villans, before Benteke mistimes his run and is flagged offside.
3' Arsenal looking strong with their attack. They receive a couple of free kick but going in vain. A good build up play sees Walcott go offside. Aston Villa too getting into the attack. An attempted cross from Benteke is safely caught by Szczesny.
1' We are on at the Wembley. Match Referee John Moss blows the start whistle. Aston Villa begin proceedings, attacking form right to left.
The players standing for the National Anthem which is followed by a huge roar from the fans.
Yellow Army! #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/mcFk1nIz85
— Michael Gooner (@MickTheGooner) May 30, 2015
Both the teams coming out of the tunnel. Arsenal playing in their Yellow-away jersey, while Aston Villa in their home jesrsey.
Confirmed Line-ups for FA Cup Final: Arsenal v/s Aston Villa
Aston Villa XI (4-3-3): Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Delph, Cleverley, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Benteke.
Aston Villa subs: Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker.
Arsenal XI (4-5-1): Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott
Arsenal subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Arsenal start the FA Cup final as favourites when they face a struggling Aston Villa. Arsenal will create history if they manage to win this Cup final. Not only will they retain the FA Cup, they will outrun rivals Manchester United in all-time leading FA Cup winners with 12 titles. Arsene Wenger will add one more trophy to his name in his illustrious 19 -year managerial career at Arsenal. This will also be his 6th FA Cup title. Arsenal will retain the title for the second time if they win today. A similar feat was achieved in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons when they retained the title.
Aston Villa, who finished 17th place and also survived a possible relegation, will look to upset the North London Club. After Tim Sherwood took their managerial role, they look to be revived side. This match will be a huge one for them and a must win too. Winning the FA Cup will somewhat be a consolation for an otherwise disappointing season for the Villans.
