In It's an Honour, featured first in the official matchday programme, we're looking back at the seasons that have brought silverware to north London. We re-live the 2014 FA Cup win.
Arsenal came back from 2-0 down to win the FA Cup on an unforgettable, emotional afternoon at Wembley – and claim the club's first silverware since 2005.
The Gunners got off to the worst possible start, conceding twice in the opening eight minutes. First, James Chester diverted Tom Huddlestone’s mis-hit shot past Lukasz Fabianski; then Curtis Davies lashed home a rebound after Alex Bruce’s header hit the post.
It could have got worse, as Kieran Gibbs headed off the line from Bruce – but Arsenal then received a lifeline when Santi Cazorla bent home a stunning free-kick to halve the deficit. That settled Arsène Wenger’s side down, knowing they had plenty of time to draw level.
They did so with 19 minutes to play, when Laurent Koscielny span sharply onto a ricochet from a corner and hooked the ball past Allan McGregor, sending a nail-biting match into extra-time. Arsenal dominated the additional 30 minutes. Olivier Giroud headed against the bar before the winner came three minutes into the second period.
Giroud backheeled intelligently into the path of Aaron Ramsey, who finished smartly with the outside of his foot to send players and fans into ecstasy. It was the perfect way to end a stellar campaign from the Welshman.
There had been drama too in the semi-final, where Arsenal eventually prevailed over holders Wigan on penalties at Wembley.
Just like in 1950, Arsenal won the FA Cup without leaving London – the first four matches were all at home, beginning with a third-round win over north London rivals Tottenham.
FA Cup Appearances
Fabianski 6, Mertesacker 5+1, Cazorla 4+2, Arteta 5, Ozil 4+1, Gibbs 3+2, Giroud 1+4, Koscielny 4, Oxlade-Chamberlain 4, Podolski 4, Sagna 4, Sanogo 3+1, Monreal 3, Vermaelen 3, Flamini 2+1, Jenkinson 2+1, Wilshere 2+1, Rosicky 1+2, Gnabry 2, Ramsey 2, Bendtner 1, Walcott 1, Kallstrom +1, Zelalem +1
FA Cup goals
Cazorla 3, Giroud 3, Podolski 3, Arteta 1, Koscielny 1, Mertesacker 1, Oxlade-Chamberlain 1, Ozil 1, Ramsey 1, Rosicky 1 Road to Wembley Third round – Arsenal 2, Tottenham Hotspur 0
Fourth round – Arsenal 4, Coventry City 0
Fifth round – Arsenal 2, Liverpool 1
Sixth round – Arsenal 4, Everton 1
Semi-final – Arsenal 1, Wigan Athletic 1 (won 4-2 on penalties)
Final – May 17, 2014 @Wembley Arsenal 3, Hull City 2 Cazorla 17, Koscielny 71, Ramsey 109
Arsenal team: Fabianski, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla (Rosicky 106), Ozil (Wilshere 106), Podolski (Sanogo 61), Giroud.
Attendance: 89,345
Also that season: Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic scored for Stoke just 12 seconds into their game against Sunderland.
And... On March 8, 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a Boeing 777 airliner en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, disappears over the Gulf of Thailand with 239 people on board.
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