Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put aside all speculation about his future as he scored twice to inspire Arsenal to win the FA Cup final against Chelsea, 2-1.
The Gunners now hold the record for the most FA Cup wins, with 14. It also marked Mikel Arteta’s first major trophy for his old club after he replaced Unai Emery seven and half months ago. With the win, Arsenal also qualified for the Europa League.
Few could have imagined Wembley Stadium empty for an FA Cup final but that was what millions around the world saw as the drama of the match unfurled, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chelsea’s American forward, Christian Pulisic opened scoring for Chelsea in the 5th minute before Aubameyang converted a penalty to draw Arsenal level after being upended by Cesar Azpilicueta in the 28th minute.
The Gabonese striker then scored the winner, gliding past Kurt Zouma to dunk the ball over the on-rushing Caballero, on 67 minutes.
Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic got sent off for two yellow card offences in the 73rd minute.
Aubameyang was involved in some mild drama while attempting to lift the trophy in a “social distancing style” trophy lift. He dropped the trophy, leading to a roar of laughter by his teammates.
Rob Holding said: “I saw him walking with the bottom bit attached and I was like ‘you need to take that off!’ It seems the trend now anyway for people to drop the trophy!”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was elated and told the BBC: “It was a difficult start when we conceded so early. If I know something about these players, is that we weren’t going to give up.
“We played probably the best 30 minutes after since I arrived. I am so proud to represent these players and this club.
“It is a double reward for us. It is really important for this club in every way to be in Europe. We all did it so I am so happy.
“The players were completely knackered and they made a massive effort through the coronavirus to keep fit so I am so happy for them.”
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard also spoke to the BBC : “We started well for 10-15 minutes and we can only blame ourselves form that point. We got complacent, we took time on the ball like it was a stroll and we allowed them into the game. It’s hard to get back into the game then. A lot of today is on us.
“All I can do from the sidelines is shout! There are elements in our game that we have worked hard on all year but that is in you as a group. Today we were slow, we played back on ourselves, invited pressure. We didn’t play well enough to win a final.
“I’m not even thinking about next week, it all came together for us today, two hamstrings, a dislocated shoulder. It’s the end of a long long season and it was the tipping point for us.”
Mikel Arteta praised Aubameyang and was confident about the striker’s ‘s future: “He knows what I think about him. I want to build the squad around him. I think he wants to stay and it is just about getting the deal done.
“But I think these moments will help him to realise and believe that we are in the right path and he is a big part of that. He is loved by everybody at the club. Hopefully he can continue with us.”
Aubameyang had expressed his thoughts before the game and seemed to have met his own wishes as he wrote:
“I can’t wait for the final – my first in this famous competition,”
“I know it’s tough for supporters that they can’t be there, but we understand how much it means to them, particularly when we play local rivals too.
“As players we know what the FA Cup represents to this club. We could see the amazing banners of all our wins at the semi-final – it’s our competition.”
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