A goal in either half from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has helped Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Chelsea in a behind-closed-doors FA Cup final at Wembley.
The Gabon international tucked away a penalty in the first-half, equalising after Christian Pulisic had handed Frank Lampard's Chelsea the lead within the opening five minutes.
The winning goal came courtesy of a fine solo finish from Aubameyang on 68 minutes, and the Gunners held out to secure a record-extending 14th FA Cup title for the club.
It takes them two ahead of Manchester United in the FA Cup roll of honour, and means the north Londoners have now won an incredible ten per cent of all FA Cups.
The game was bright throughout with plenty of lively exchanges and chances for both sides. Aubameyang went close early on after good work down the flank from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
FOURTEEN. TIMES. 🏆#HeadsUpFACupFinal | @EmiratesFACup
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2020
Mason Mount also forced a smart save from Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, when perhaps the better option would have been a through ball to his French teammate Olivier Giroud.
Giroud was heavily involved in the opening goal of the game from American star Pulisic, who deftly lifted the ball over Willy Caballero in the Chelsea goal.
Nicolas Pépé saw a goal disallowed for offside for Arsenal after a quarter of an hour, but they didn't have to wait too much longer for the equaliser.
Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta was adjudged by the referee (and VAR) to have fouled Aubameyang, and the 31-year-old striker made no mistake from the spot, sending Caballero the wrong way from 12 yards.
The sides went in level at the half-time break, and it was all action once again in the second-half. Pulisic had to be withdrawn after appearing to over-stretch his hamstring during an attempted shot.
The Aubameyang goal that ultimately proved the winner followed, before matters got even worse for Chelsea.
FULL TIME! 💥 @Arsenal HAVE DONE IT! 🤩
The Gunners continue their reign as the most successful club in the competition 🔥 #HeadsUpFACupFinal #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/8R6kOx3Oto— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 1, 2020
Referee Anthony Taylor handed Croatian star Mateo Kovačić a second yellow card for what was deemed a foul on Granit Xhaka - although replays suggested it was a harsh call to say the least.
The pair appeared to merely touch boots in a 50-50 clash, and the man down did no favours for Chelsea in their hunt for a goal that would have taken the game to extra-time.
In the end Arsenal had to hold out for a nervy seven minutes of injury time, but hold out they did.
Mikel Arteta has now led Arsenal to FA Cup success as both a player and manager, and they will play in the Europa League next season.
The result means Wolves do not qualify for next season's Europa League - their seventh place finish in the standings meant they needed Chelsea to win today, as they are already assured of European football next season.
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