Arsenal were playing a record 19th FA Cup final
Holders Arsenal won the
FA Cup for a record 12th time, outclassing Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley
with stunning goals from Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez setting up
their one-sided victory.
Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud were also on target, once the match was effectively over as a contest, as the Londoners sealed their biggest winning margin in a final of the world's oldest knockout competition.
Arsene Wenger also became the most successful FA Cup manager of modern times, guiding his side to a sixth triumph in their 19th final, another record.
Arsenal, who came from two goals down to beat Hull City 3-2 a year
ago, were never in trouble against Villa and should have been ahead even
before Walcott put them in front with a sizzling left-foot volley after
40 minutes.
Sanchez made it 2-0 against a hugely disappointing Villa, who hardly had a serious effort on goal, five minutes into the second half with a glorious dipping shot.
Mertesacker then converted a close-range header and Giroud, who came on as a late substitute, side-footed the ball home with the last kick of the game.
Arsenal's victory was cheered by Southampton fans as it means they will now take the last remaining place in next season's Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League.
Seven-time FA Cup winners Villa would have qualified for the Europa League with another victory.
Arsenal retained the FA Cup for the second time in their history, after achieving back-to-back wins in 2002 and 2003.
They rounded off the season with a 12-0 goal advantage over Villa after beating them 3-0 and 5-0 in this season's Premier League matches.
Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud were also on target, once the match was effectively over as a contest, as the Londoners sealed their biggest winning margin in a final of the world's oldest knockout competition.
Arsene Wenger also became the most successful FA Cup manager of modern times, guiding his side to a sixth triumph in their 19th final, another record.
| Last 10 FA Cup winners |
|
2005-06: Liverpool
2006-07: Chelsea
2007-08: Portsmouth
2008-09: Chelsea
2009-10: Chelsea
2010-11: Manchester City
2011-12: Chelsea
2012-13: Wigan Athletic
2013-14: Arsenal
2014-15: Arsenal
|
Sanchez made it 2-0 against a hugely disappointing Villa, who hardly had a serious effort on goal, five minutes into the second half with a glorious dipping shot.
Mertesacker then converted a close-range header and Giroud, who came on as a late substitute, side-footed the ball home with the last kick of the game.
Arsenal's victory was cheered by Southampton fans as it means they will now take the last remaining place in next season's Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League.
Seven-time FA Cup winners Villa would have qualified for the Europa League with another victory.
Arsenal retained the FA Cup for the second time in their history, after achieving back-to-back wins in 2002 and 2003.
They rounded off the season with a 12-0 goal advantage over Villa after beating them 3-0 and 5-0 in this season's Premier League matches.
 |
| Sanchez scored a spectacular goal from a long-range effort |
Source: Reuters