Not many Arsenal fans expected much from the Gunners during their FA Cup final clash against Chelsea, the Premier League champions… but the boys did good.
Arsenal started brightly. The Gunners were keen to get the ball forward to Alexis Sanchez while Chelsea appeared incredibly lethargic and slow during the opening exchanges.
Sure enough, it was the Chilean to slot home Arsenal’s debatable first goal.
Although Aaron Ramsey was offside, the ball fell to Alexis and the goal was given. Let’s not talk about the fact it was a hand ball.
Controversial goal hands Arsenal the lead!
Alexis Sánchez has scored 30 goals in a single campaign for the first time in his career.
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 27, 2017
That is 100% offside
— Joe Tilley (@Tilley_96) May 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/NicoleHolliday/status/868507140155211777
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
— Gingers for Limpar (@Gingers4Limpar) May 27, 2017
Alexis Sanchez has now contributed to 46 goals in 50 games this season (30 goals, 16 assists). #afc pic.twitter.com/gsxEAjYJiC
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 27, 2017
That goal isn't given if Wenger doesn't push Taylor 2 months ago. Elite planning.
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) May 27, 2017
Anthony Taylor is no longer a disgrace to his federation
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) May 27, 2017
Arsenal continued to play well, gelling, keeping their heads up and generally keeping calm.
https://twitter.com/DailyCannon/status/868508744044470273
WHO IS THIS AND WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH THE REAL ARSENAL?
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) May 27, 2017
Chelsea currently a shambles. Arsenal started superbly
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 27, 2017
In the 19th minute, Rambo missed the chance to double Arsenal’s lead.
So close to Arsenal doubling their lead…#facup #chears pic.twitter.com/hJ4Rhgl64p
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 27, 2017
I THOUGHT THAT WAS IN FFS
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) May 27, 2017
After 20 minutes, Chelsea finally realised they were actually playing in a game of football and began to turn the screw.
David Ospina, predictably, got hurt after Diego Costa has a chance.
Ospina and Holding with poor communication
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) May 27, 2017
*goes to drafts * Ospina is hurt
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) May 27, 2017
Arsenal then had a chance cleared off the line after they broke and Danny Welbeck couldn’t sort his feet out.
We're gonna regret these missed chances.
— GoonerGordo (@GoonerGordo) May 27, 2017
Arsenal were playing so well, Mesut Ozil was on fire. Everything was good.
A+ tackle from Ozil
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) May 27, 2017
Mesut Özil with the brilliant tackle this is the best
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) May 27, 2017
Not a foul you pussy
— Anita (@arsenaloFka) May 27, 2017
Mesut's a genius
— Gingers for Limpar (@Gingers4Limpar) May 27, 2017
Mesut Ozil just made a crunching tackle on Eden Hazard. #afc being bang up for this in a microcosm.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) May 27, 2017
Arsenal went in at half-time 1-0 up.
In the second half, Chelsea had got their act together and came out far stronger.
Per Mertesacker, who had been fantastic despite only playing 37 minutes this season due to injury, put in a perfect block to deny Chelsea a goal early after the break.
Per Mertesacker is the absolute bomb.
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) May 27, 2017
MERTESACKER IS LIFE
— S (@attwood10) May 27, 2017
Shortly before Ospina made a save from a Victor Moses chance.
Chelsea turning the screw now, Ospina super save from Moses.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) May 27, 2017
Start to feel like our only chance is a clean sheet
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) May 27, 2017
Arsenal got a chance when Alexis put over a lovely pass to Bellerin on the break. However, the Spaniard didn’t cross the ball early enough and it was deflected into the Chelsea goalkeeper’s hands.
Cesc Fabregas inevitably came on for Chelsea.
Don't be a twat, Cesc
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) May 27, 2017
You dare Fabregas, you dare
— Harry Shotta (@HarryShotta) May 27, 2017
Bellerin then had a chance of his own, which was saved.
Another pivotal point in the game was when Moses dived and received a second yellow card from Anthony Taylor, putting Chelsea down to 10 men.
Love the big calls from the bald man
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) May 27, 2017
Oh my! Moses gets his second yellow for diving. pic.twitter.com/DIjLIiMEbd
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 27, 2017
That's a story to tell the grandchildren: "I once got myself sent off in the FA Cup final for cheating".
— Jacqui Oatley (@JacquiOatley) May 27, 2017
The slow motion clearly shows Moses dived. #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/Z8y6AMjoxW
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) May 27, 2017
It had to be Diego Costa to put Chelsea on level terms. Ospina did an Ospina.
Wrists made of butter
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) May 27, 2017
How the actual fuck has he not saved that
— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) May 27, 2017
Who put Ospina's feet in cement?
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) May 27, 2017
No sooner had Costa equalised and Olivier Giroud subbed on as a reaction, the Frenchman assisted Big Game Rambo.
Arsene Wenger elite tactical shift then substation leads to a goal 2 minutes later.
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) May 27, 2017
AND I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH OF DADADADADADADADADDADADADADADADADADDAADA AAAAAARRRROOOOOOONNN RAMSEY!
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) May 27, 2017
Chelsea just got punched in the face
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) May 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/RealRomfordPele/status/868530482815873025
Arsenal sub:
Coquelin on, Oxlade-Chamberlain off.#afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 27, 2017
Ospina actually made a brilliant save from Costa shortly before Mesut should have put 3-1 ahead.
Despite having just minutes left, it was still end-to-end.
Lots of Chelsea fans have given up and are starting to leave Wembley.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 27, 2017
However, the Gunners weathered the storm and won their 13th FA Cup trophy.