Arsenal celebrate winning the 2002 FA Cup
GGM 23: Classic strikes seal FA Cup glory
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Greatest Moment - 23
2002, Arsenal beat Chelsea at FA Cup Final in Cardiff
1 min 55 seconds
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Has an FA Cup Final ever been won by two better goals?
A year earlier Arsenal had been 'mugged' by Liverpool's Michael Owen at the Millennium Stadium as his two late goals turned the 2001 Final on its head. Now Arsène Wenger's team were back in Cardiff - with a Double in their sights.
Arsenal did not dominate Chelsea as they had done Liverpool, but on this occasion the result was right. And victory was achieved in some style.
With Tony Adams at the heart of the Arsenal defence, Chelsea enjoyed few sights of goal. When they did conjure an opening, David Seaman's athleticism denied Eidur Gudjohnsen's wicked, dipping shot from outside the box. Frank Lampard also tried his luck from long range but to no avail.
At the other end, Dennis Bergkamp headed wide and Lauren squandered an excellent chance after good work from Sylvain Wiltord who snaked his way to the left-hand byline before picking out the right back with a cross.
Carlo Cudicini denied Thierry Henry as Arsenal threatened on the counter-attack but the Italian keeper had no answer to Ray Parlour's magnificent opener 20 minutes from time. Further forward than all his team-mates when he collected Wiltord's pass, Parlour opted for a right-foot shot and found the top corner from 25 yards.
Twelve months earlier Arsenal had let their lead slip, but they made no mistake this time. Ten minutes after Parlour's blockbuster it was all over as Freddie Ljungberg broke from the halfway line, leaving John Terry in his wake before curling a sumptuous effort beyond the despairing dive of Cudicini.
There was no way back for Chelsea. Adams, playing in his last Cup Final, lifted the trophy with the man who would succeed him, Patrick Vieira. Meanwhile Lee Dixon, another member of the famous Back Four, lapped up the atmosphere at his last showpiece occasion.
The FA Cup was Arsenal's. Four days later, the Premiership trophy was also heading to Highbury after a famous win at Old Trafford clinched the Club's third Double.
[Thursday, July 19, 2007]
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