The Gunners made light work of Aston Villa at Wembley
Arsenal eased to a 4-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley this evening to win a record-breaking 12th FA Cup title.
The Gunners went into the game looking to retain the trophy that they had won 12-months prior, after beating Hull City 3-2 in a thrilling final, which saw Arsene Wenger‘s men go 2-0 down in the first 10 minutes.
However, this final was nothing like last year as the North London side made light work of Tim Sherwood‘s men and eased to a four-goal victory.
A first-half strike from Theo Walcott gave The Gunners a 1-0 lead at half-time, although it could and should have been much more but Shay Given was on top-form to keep Villa in the game.
Unfortunately for the veteran, his luck ran out in the second-half as an Alexis Sanchez wonder-goal made it 2-0, before captain Per Mertesacker made it three and second-half substitute Olivier Giroud made it four.
The tie was simply one-sided and it was always going to be Arsenal‘s day with Sherwood’s men failing to turn up.
The FA Cup win means Arsenal are now the most prestigious club in the competitions history, with 19 final appearances and 12 wins, which is one more than Manchester United.
As for Wenger, he is now level with six FA Cup wins as a manager.
After the game, players and managers spoke to the media to discuss their feelings after such an emphatic Arsenal display.
Match Reaction
Arsenal goalscorer Theo Walcott said: “It was amazing. Any win is fantastic but the manner we did it was very good. We kept a clean sheet and we knew if we did that we would score goals and win the game.
“I want to thank the manager for picking me and having faith in me and hopefully I repaid him. I missed all this last year. To be part of it this year is a dream come true. My family are here and I have worked so hard, as has everyone to do this. I also want to thank the physios and everyone who has looked after me. This is for them.
“We just need to start well in the Premier League next year. This is one of the best squads we have had at Arsenal so we should be achieving more. But that’s two FA Cup wins now so the Premier League has to be the next target for us.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: “We have shown that we are a real team and can deal with pressure. I congratulate the players, the staff and the fans. We are so happy tonight.
“I had a difficult week to pick the team. But when confidence and sprit is so good it helps. Look, I am very proud. Our club is doing well and if I can personally do well then it’s even better.
“I have two more years of my contract and my hunger is great. I want to do well.”
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey tells BBC 5 Live: “It’s a great feeling. We really wanted this one. Winning back-to-back FA Cups is not an easy thing to do and we have done it. Now we can look forward to next season and kick on and give it a real go in the Premier League.”
Arsenal’s man of the match Santi Cazorla: “We played very well, we played with intensity and if we play like that we will get the title next year.”
“We are lucky Alexis Sanchez plays for us.”
Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker: “We deserved this today. We played on the front foot from the start and that makes a massive difference.
“Last year we suffered in the first-half but today we scored regularly and gave we what we needed.
“It is a good way to finish off the season and I can look forward to my first holiday since retiring from international football. Hopefully we will start next season on the front foot but first we celebrate this victory.”
Arsenal club captain Mikel Arteta, who missed the game through injury: “There is no better way to of finish the season. We have made history today, the *most successful team in England. Now we go for the big one next season and hopefully more trophies will come. We have great momentum.”
Arsenal goalscorer Olivier Giroud: “The Premier League title is the target. Hopefully we will be there. Without the injuries and if we keep this squad with one or two more players then we will have a good chance to challenge for the title.”
Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood: “I can’t make any excuses for that today, Arsenal were too good for us. We couldn’t impose ourselves on them or nullify what they had. They’ve got some outstanding footballers and too much quality for us.
“When you’ve had your entire midfield booked and your right-back, obviously you’re walking a tight-rope. It’s a learning curve for us, you have to learn and we need to build a new team. They need to learn how to be winners. Of course we believed we could win this but you have to say we came up short today.
“Alexis Sanchez scores an outstanding goal, there’s not much you can do about that one, but we were lucky not go behind earlier, we were holding on a bit. But to concede again from a set piece is gruelling. You almost don’t mind if they open you up but to be honest you have to take your medicine at 3-0 and then to concede one at the death was a kick in the privates.
“It’s been a gradual process since I’ve come in here. We’ve stayed in the division, but we came up short today because Arsenal were better. We have a losing mentality at this football club. They’ve been scraping relegation for the past four years, that can’t be right.
“We need to try and change that, either by bringing in new personnel or making these players winners. It’s not just new additions to the squad also getting some of the players we do have to play in a different way, to change the mentality of a few of them.
“We gave the fans nothing to cheer about today but I can promise them it will get better. We don’t want to be scraping relegation next season.”
Aston Villa captain Fabain Delph: “Arsenal showed why they deserved the win. We were up against it, we tried to dig deep but their quality shone through and we struggled.
“Arsenal will admit that’s one of their best performances of the season. We didn’t impose ourselves as much as we can do but they kept the ball well and tired us out.
“The manager said that we had it in us to cause an upset but we couldn’t find the performance. But a few weeks ago we would have snapped your hand off to stay in the league and get to this final. Now it’s important that we get a winning mentality.
“We have to forget about today, some players will come through the door to strengthen us and I am sure we will get better and better.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
