The 2004/05 campaign was not the most memorable for Arsenal but it had the happiest of endings at the Millennium Stadium.
The Gunners met Manchester United in the FA Cup Final and for the first time in history the destiny of the trophy was decided by a penalty shoot-out.
In truth, Arsenal were second best to Sir Alex Ferguson's side all afternoon. The Gunners failed to test Roy Carroll in the 90 minutes and even in extra time a free-kick which Robin van Persie bent wide was the closest they came.
United on the other hand looked determined to prosper. Wayne Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes were particularly threatening but all wasted gilt-edged chances to settle the Final.
Arsenal even finished the encounter with 10 men after Jose Antonio Reyes picked up his second yellow card deep into the second period of extra time. But it didn't matter.
Ruud van Nistelrooy took the first spot kick and scored. Lauren matched him. Then Jens Lehmann sprang to his right to push away Scholes' effort.
Fredrik Ljungberg put Arsenal in front, then Ronaldo, Van Persie, Rooney, Ashley Cole and Roy Keane all scored with ease.
It was left to Patrick Vieira, the captain. It would prove to be his last kick for the Club and he made it count. The Frenchman held his nerve to find the top corner and ensure the day belonged to Arsenal.
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