As part of our 'Countdown to the Final', we've been scouring the history books to bring you facts that you might not know about Arsenal and Southampton...
REF BARBER A LUCKY CHARM?
Arsenal have lost just one of the 20 games in which Cup final
referee Graham Barber has been in charge. Barber has refereed 19
Premiership games this season, awarding 47 yellow cards and six red
cards in total. He's been in charge of two Arsenal matches this
season, the 2-1 home defeat against Blackburn and the 3-1 home win
against Aston Villa.
BOTH SAINTS AND GUNNERS!
Players who have figured for both sides include: Steve Williams,
Perry Groves, Scott Marshall, Luis Boa Morte, Neil Heaney, Alan
Ball, Charlie George, Ted Drake, R. Buchanan, W. Buckenham, R.
Benson, Tom Parker (who also managed Southampton), A Hartley, J.
Jeffery, H. Offer. J. Tomlinson, Don Roper, P. Dougal, Ray Parkin,
Tom Rudkin, George Curtis and J. Dunne.
NEW CREST UNVEILED AGAINST SAINTS
The new Arsenal crest was unveiled before the Gunners'
Premiership clash with Southampton at Highbury on Saturday,
February 2, 2002. Sylvain Wiltord gave Arsenal the lead but Joe
Tessem equalised with 10 minutes remaining and the game ended
1-1.
ROYLE KEEPS ENGLISH FLAG FLYING
Only one of the last 11 FA Cup finals has been won by a team
managed by an Englishman. Joe Royle led Everton to a 1-0 victory
over Manchester United in 1995. Paul Rideout scored the only goal
of the game.
1966 SEES FIRST LEAGUE MEETING
Arsenal's first League meeting with the Saints was as recently
as 1966. Two goals apiece from George Armstrong and John Radford
helped the Gunners to 4-1 win at Highbury on Boxing Day. The teams
met again just a day later at The Dell and the Saints gained
revenge, winning 2-1.
CUP WIN WILL EDGE OUT SPURS
Arsenal are looking for their ninth FA Cup trophy. That would move
them clear of Tottenham (eight wins) and closer to Manchester
United (10 wins). Tottenham are the only team to retain the FA Cup
in the last 50 years. They did it twice (in 1962 and 1982).
FIRST MEETING ENDS IN SEMI JOY
Southampton were Arsenal's semi-final opponents en route to the
Gunners' first FA Cup final in March 26, 1927. That was the
first meeting between the two sides. Hulme and Buchan scored for
Arsenal in a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
SAINTS FIRST IN SCORING RUN
Arsenal's record-breaking scoring run started away to
Southampton. Between that game at The Dell on May 19, 2001 and this
season's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on December 6, 2002,
Arsenal scored in 55 consecutive Premiership games - the best ever
in the top flight.
DELL ENDS WITH GUNNERS DEFEAT
Arsenal were the opposition in the final game at The Dell on May
19, 2001. They were twice ahead through Ashley Cole and Freddie
Ljungberg but lost 3-2 to an 89th-minute strike from Matthew Le
Tissier.
SAINT SHEARER SINKS GUNNERS
Alan Shearer scored a hat-trick on his full debut against Arsenal
on April 9, 1988. The 17-year-old helped Southampton win 4-2 at The
Dell. Perry Groves and Paul Davis were on target for the Gunners
that day.
SINGLE GOALS FOR HOTSHOTS
Despite their high-scoring exploits in the Premiership, Thierry
Henry and James Beattie have only scored one goal each in the FA
Cup this season. Beattie is the first Southampton player to score
more than 20 Premiership goals in a season since Matt Le Tissier
scored 25 in the 1994-95 season.
BEATTIE PIPPED BY HENRY
Thierry Henry's goal at Sunderland on Sunday put him on 24
Premiership goals this season, one ahead of Southampton's top
scorer James Beattie. Henry has yet to score against Southampton
this season but Beattie scored twice in Saints' 3-2 win over
the Gunners in the Premiership last November.
MIDDLE MENS FINAL GOALS
Four out of Arsenal's last five FA Cup final goals have been
scored by midfielders. Marc Overmars netted against Newcastle in
1998, Freddie Ljungberg scored against Liverpool in 2001 and the
Swede was also on target last May after Ray Parlour had given
Arsenal the lead against Chelsea. Ljungberg is aiming to be the
first player to score in three consecutive FA Cup finals.
DELL SEES HENRY'S FIRST
Thierry Henry struck his first goal for Arsenal in the match at
Southampton on September 19, 1999. He came on as a substitute for
Kanu, received a short pass from Tony Adams and fired a curling
shot past the 'keeper from 20 yards. It was the only goal of
the game.
DENNIS FIRES FIRST GOALS
Dennis Bergkamp hit his first Arsenal goal against the Saints. It
came in the 17th minute of a match at Highbury on September 23,
1995. He doubled his tally in the second half of the game, which
ended in a 4-2 victory for the Gunners. At the start of this year,
the Dutchman reached a century for the club.
GUNNERS BREAK FINAL RECORD
Arsenal are appearing in a record-breaking 16th final on Saturday,
and have scored in 19 consecutive FA Cup ties (including
replays).
GOLDEN-BOOT JOY FOR WRIGHT
On May 2, 1992, Ian Wright hit a hat-trick in a 5-1 win against
Southampton at Highbury. It meant he won the Golden Boot as the
leading scorer in the top flight. The game was also the last before
the redevelopment of the North Bank at Highbury.
SAINTS LAND SPURS CURSE!
Three of the last four losing finalists beat Spurs en-route to the
Final. Southampton beat Spurs in this year's third round.
Arsenal will be Southampton's only other Premiership opposition
in the Saints Cup run.
WRIGHT TREBLE AT THE DELL
Ian Wright hit a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory against Southampton
at The Dell on September 28 1991. It was the striker's first
League start for Arsenal.
HISTORY IS ON GUNNERS SIDE
Arsenal's overall record against Southampton in all
competitions reads: Played 75, Won 39, Drawn 20, Lost 16, Goals For
125, Goals Against 75.
SIX OF THE BEST SETS NEW RECORD
Arsenal's 6-1 victory at Highbury on May 7, 2003 was their
biggest ever win against Southampton. Robert Pires and Jermaine
Pennant both scored hat-tricks for the Gunners, the latter on his
first Premiership start for the club. Joe Tessem scored
Southampton's consolation goal.
