Gunners beat Chelsea at Wembley to win FA Cup

Arsenal FC — The Gunners — on Saturday, beat Chelsea FC to win the English FA Cup.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup win as the Gunners captain struck twice to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final at an empty Wembley on Saturday.

Christian Pulisic had given Chelsea a good start in the sixth minute.

Aubameyang, however, levelled up for The Gunners from the spot after he  was brought down by Cesar Azpilicueta, converting the penalty perfectly.

A brilliant finish from Aubameyang 23 minutes from time earned Mikel Arteta silverware in his first season as Arsenal boss.

Chelsea were later controversially reduced to 10 men when Mateo Kovacic was shown an extremely soft second yellow card.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1

Match report: Gunners 2 : 1 Chelsea — How it happened

The Gunners extended their remarkable record in the FA Cup by winning it for the 14th time after two more goals from No 14, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

On the day the club marked 70 years of service from Ken Friar, in a final played behind closed doors for the first time, they also sealed Europa League football for next season after coming from behind to seal a dramatic win.

Much of that was down to the man who lifted the trophy amid joyous celebrations at the end.

Aubameyang had converted from the spot before a sensational second-half finish to win Arsenal the game.

This strangest of finals got off to an open start as the Gabon international headed wide within three minutes, before Mason Mount tested Emi Martinez from long range.

Before the winners had time to settle into the game, the Blues took the lead as they swept forward and former Gunner Olivier Giroud found Christian Pulisic to open the scoring.

The Gunners went behind so early in the contest, and the American had a chance to add his second not long afterwards.

Martinez, however, was equal to his shot from inside the area.

It wasn’t looking good, but they patiently worked their way back into the contest.

Arsenal thought they had an equaliser when Nicolas Pepe curled the ball into the top corner after a slick move.

It was ruled out as Aubameyang had strayed offside though their pinpoint passes in behind the Chelsea defence were causing all manner of problems.

Moments later Kieran Tierney put Aubameyang away with a fine ball up the left.

The Gabon international was hauled down by Cesar Azpilicueta in the box – penalty.

The captain stood up and held his nerve to send Willy Caballero the wrong way. Game on.

They continued to press forward and had much the better of the rest of the first half.

Arsenal came close to taking the lead when Alex Lacazette curled a free wide from the edge of the area.

Chelsea came flying out of the blocks after the restart as the dangerous Pulisic raced clear and into the box, but curled his shot wide of the far post.

But again Arsenal grew into the half, and had a chance when Pepe and Lacazette combined.

Aubameyang’s effort was blocked inside the box.

The game was finely-poised – and nowhere near as open as the first half – and as the clock ticked on, the tension only increased.

But with 68 minutes gone Arsenal burst forward through Hector Bellerin and Pepe, with the latter finding Aubameyang in the box.

There was still much to do, but the striker turned Kurt Zouma superbly before dinking the ball into the net.

There was further drama when Matteo Kovacic was sent off for a second bookable offence.

There were no further goals afterwards and a record 14th FA Cup went to Arsenal.

It was a great moment for Mikel Arteta in his first season as a head coach.

Also, it was a moment for all the fans across the world who missed the fever at Wembley.

The victory extends’s Arsenal record as the club with the most FA Cups to their name and also means they will be in next season’s Europa League.

The Gunners will now head into a well-earned summer break, before the Premier League returns on September 12.

READ ALSO: Liverpool win English Premier League in grand style

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