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Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1: Aaron Ramsey seals Arsene Wenger's record seventh FA Cup win in magnificent final

Arsenal lift the trophy after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the 136th FA Cup final - AP
Arsenal lift the trophy after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the 136th FA Cup final - AP

The long league campaigns, the Champions League’s dreaded barrier of the round of 16 – these are the challenges that Arsène Wenger has found ever harder to negotiate over the years but there is only one king of the FA Cup, the 67-year-old Frenchman who has now won it a record seven times.

What this seventh triumph – Wenger’s third FA Cup in four years – says about Arsenal’s manager is that he is still a man for the big occasion whatever his failings might be over the months of a long domestic and European season. He can still, as he did on a warm day at Wembley, set up a team capable of beating the champions, of taking Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation and improving this piece of football innovation with a 2.0 version of his own.

Against Chelsea, Wenger’s Arsenal did all the things a great Cup-winning team must do, including making the running early on and scoring through Alexis Sánchez within the first five minutes and then, when they thought they had won the game, doing it all over again after Diego Costa’s equaliser. Before Aaron Ramsey scored the winner, Chelsea had lost Victor Moses to a second yellow card for a dive that no-one in a Chelsea shirt protested.

FA Cup final 2017: Player ratings
FA Cup final 2017: Player ratings

This was Arsenal as Wenger would have them every week if possible, a liberated Mesut Özil, feeding into the ruthless running of Sánchez. Danny Welbeck let loose, fit and strong to run the legs off an opposition defence. Even David Ospina, selected ahead of Petr Cech in goal, threw himself in front of a Costa shot in the 86th minute that would have taken the game to extra-time had it gone in.

The question of a new contract for Wenger is surely now just a case of when, and at the last he has created an environment where the club’s controlling stakeholder Stan Kroenke, in attendance at Wembley, can make the strongest possible case for it. No other manager has won the FA Cup seven times and no other manager can quite pull a result out to change the weather when he needs it most.

There was something in the way that Arsenal approached the very first few minutes of the game, the period during which they scored, which suggested that they were at ease on this occasion and prepared to take their time.

There was an extraordinary passing sequence that went forwards and backwards before eventually a bit of boldness meant they won a corner.

Just minutes had gone by when Thibaut Courtois took the cross cleanly, threw the ball out and from there Chelsea’s lack of composure was telling. They lost possession through N’Golo Kanté, who had a dreadful first half by his standards, and they missed chances to get the ball back, while their opponents seemed immediately alive to all the possibilities that opened up to them.

Winning goalscorer Aaron Ramsey gets his hands on the FA Cup  - Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe
Winning goalscorer Aaron Ramsey gets his hands on the FA Cup Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe

The goal was a complicated affair during which referee Anthony Taylor first blew as if to disallow but instead gave himself time to speak to his assistant Gary Beswick. At stake were two issues, the first of which was whether Sánchez handled when he won the ball on the edge of the area and pushed it through the Chelsea defence to run onto and score with a left foot shot past Courtois. And was Aaron Ramsey offside amid all the excitement?

 Certainly Ramsey was in an offside position but by no means interfering.

The handball was a difficult call and what Taylor seemed to be conferring on was the offside issue. After a discussion he gave the goal and with it Arsenal took the confidence to assert themselves throughout the first half.

There were fine performances from Sánchez but also from Özil who always had the space, often from quite deep positions to pick up the ball and try to thread it through to his Chilean team-mate. Welbeck, selected ahead of Olivier Giroud as the Arsenal centre-forward, was superb and he was one of two Arsenal players who had first half shots cleared off the line by Gary Cahill.

Chelsea were being pulled out of shape. Kanté seemed to be in the wrong place most of the time when it came to tracking the runs of Özil. Eden Hazard just failed to show before the break.

A dejected Chelsea team leave the Wembley pitch - Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe
A dejected Chelsea team leave the Wembley pitch Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe

This was an Arsenal defence featuring Per Mertesacker who had not started a game for more than a year and yet they were not put under any sustained pressure.

Certainly Rob Holding seemed to be channeling the ancient spirit of the Arsenal back four from years past in his collisions with Costa.

When Özil slid in to a tackle against the escaping Hazard towards the end of the first half it was impossible to think anything other than that the occasion had transformed this Arsenal side.

It was a better Chelsea that emerged for the second half, with more of the ball and more of the territory but not always clear ideas about what to do with it. Hazard had moments in possession when the palms were raised as he asked for options to be offered to him and none were forthcoming. The Arsenal back three composed and well-organised as the pressure grew.

None looked more confident in those early stages of the second half than Özil who had more limited scope to create chances but seemed serene when on the ball. Welbeck was having one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt, stretching Chelsea and drawing the foul from Moses that led to the winger’s first yellow card.

FA Cup Final 2017: Arsenal vs Chelsea, in pictures - all the action from Wembley Stadium
FA Cup Final 2017: Arsenal vs Chelsea, in pictures - all the action from Wembley Stadium

There was no argument about that one just as there was very little about the second awarded by referee Taylor who, as he had done for the Sánchez goal, blew his whistle, took a moment to think and then made the correct decision under heavy pressure. Moses had come in down the right channel, taken the ball on his left to go past Oxlade-Chamberlain and then went down as he passed the Arsenal man.

Even before then Conte had tried to change his team, bringing on Cesc Fabregas for Nemanja Matic, and later Willian replaced Pedro. It was the Brazilian who crossed for Costa’s equaliser, a fine finish which he chested down and clipped past Ospina.

Wenger’s decision to replace Welbeck with Giroud yielded immediate dividends. It was Giroud’s intelligent run and fine cross from the byline that Ramsey headed in from close range. This was Arsenal’s day and they would not let Chelsea into the game again.

7:45PM

What more can you say?

7:43PM

Captains together

A nice touch for Per Mertersacker - who was superb today - lifted the trophy with Laurent Koscielny who was suspended after getting a red card against Everton last weekend.

7:41PM

You can see how much it meant to them

John Terry consoles Cesar Azpilicueta - Credit: Andrew Yates/Reuters
John Terry consoles Cesar Azpilicueta Credit: Andrew Yates/Reuters

7:39PM

What a brilliant day this young man had

Rob Holding was superb in his first FA Cup final and he ends the day a winner - Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Getty Images Europe
Rob Holding was superb in his first FA Cup final and he ends the day a winner Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Getty Images Europe

7:37PM

Will this be his last hurrah?

He has a board meeting on Tuesday... 

Arsene Wenger shows his joy at winning his seventh FA Cup - a new record  - Credit: Adam Davy/PA
Arsene Wenger shows his joy at winning his seventh FA Cup - a new record Credit: Adam Davy/PA

7:35PM

The losers make that long walk upstairs

It can't be nice for the Chelsea players taking that awfully long trip to collect their medals. 

You have to say on the day, that the better team won. 

7:27PM

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley. 

FA Cup No. 13 for Arsenal.

FA Cup No. 7 for Arsenal Wenger. 

What a game!

7:27PM

Time on ball (at full time)

7:26PM

Average touch positions (full time)

7:25PM

Seconds left

Arsenal trying to keep possession as the clock ticks down. Diego Costa is on the bench looking dejected after his goal drew the Blues level. 

7:24PM

93 min

Can Chelsea do anything in the last minute?

Sanchez off for Elneny.

7:23PM

91 min

Batshuyi brings down Sanchez to give the Gunners a free-kick. The Chilean tries to play it into the box but Ozil can't get hold of it and it's out for a goal-kick. 

7:21PM

Injury time

Four minutes to add

7:21PM

89 

Chelsea still going for it as they try to penetrate the Arsenal defense. 

Bellerin gets the ball on the counter but Alonso is there to knock it out for a throw-in. 

7:19PM

87 min

Ozil hits the post. He gets it on his left foot and it bounces off the post and off Courtois for an Arsenal corner. 

Batshuayi is on for Costa with three minutes to go. 

7:18PM

86 min

Ospina saves Arsenal. 

Sanchez concedes a foul and Chelsea take the free-kick quickly, it ends up with Costa and the keeper gets down quickly to send it out for a corner. 

7:16PM

84 min

Arsenal have Bellerin running down the right after he nicks it off Alonso and he aims for Courtois' far post but it goes just wide. 

7:14PM

81 min

Another Arsenal substitution with Oxlade-Chamberlain being replaced by Francis Coquelin. 

Time to shut up shop for the Gunners...

7:12PM

80 min

Ten man Chelsea have ten minutes to score and you wouldn't put it past them. 

The Blues have a free-kick after pulling Willian back by the far corner flag. The Brazilian takes it but Luiz heads wide of Ospina's goal.

7:11PM

GOAL!

And it's Ramsey. We barely had kick-off. 

Welbeck was replaced by Giroud, he runs to the goal-line after collecting Sanchez' pass. The Frenchman knocks it into the box and Ramsey is there to score past Courtois. 

7:09PM

GOAL!

And it's that man Costa.

Arsenal gave them too much time on the ball and they are just playing it between themselves. Hazard plays in Willian who sends it across goal for Costa who takes it on his chest and sends it inside the near post. It did look like it came of Mertesacker but Ospina was slow to react. 

7:09PM

GOAL!

An equaliser from Diego Costa for Chelsea makes it 1-1.

7:08PM

Time on ball (60 - 75 min)

7:05PM

74 min

There is no denying that Chelsea are still in this tie and a Hazard shot at the near post is deflected behind for a corner, which the Belgian takes. 

Cahill gets a head to it but it's over. 

7:03PM

71 min

All Arsenal at the moment with Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xhaka all trying to get in on the act. 

Pedro is replaced by Willian, which is an interesting substitution as the Spaniard has been one of Chelsea's best player's. 

7:01PM

69 min

Such a silly decision by Moses who has had his best season for the Blues in this campaign. 

It could cost his team dear as we head into the last 20 minutes. 

7:00PM

RED  CARD 

Chelsea appeal for a penalty and it's Moses that is down. Oxlade-Chamberlain was the player challenging

The referee gives him a yellow card for simulation and it looks to be the correct decision. 

Two yellows = a red and Chelsea are down to ten men with 22 minutes to play. 

6:59PM

Red card! Victor Moses sent off for Chelsea

Anthony Taylor shows Victor Moses a second yellow card - he's off.

6:57PM

65 min

Welbeck evades a tackle and runs down the left and finds Bellerin but Courtois gets down well to save and Chelsea are away. 

Moses sends it into the box for Fabregas but his shot goes just past the post. 

6:55PM

62 min

Neither team seems to be able to get their foot on the ball with some sloppy passing by both sides. 

Arsenal seem to be building in confidence again as they look to close down every Chelsea attack. 

6:52PM

60 min

We get our first change as Fabregas replaces Matic. 

I wonder what the odds are of his scoring against his former team. 

6:52PM

Time on ball (45 - 60 min)

6:49PM

57 min

Moses is the latest name in the book as he brings down Webeck on the far wing. He basically took one for the team. 

Arsenal play it back as they try to regain their earlier composure. Bellerin sends it towards the right corner for Ramsey but the Welshman is beaten to it by Courtois. 

Moses finds space and sends it into the middle for Pedro but the Spaniard sends his shot over. 

Another yellow, this time for Kante as he trips Ramsey in the middle of the park. 

6:46PM

55 min

Holding concedes a free-kick when he brings down Costa just outside the box. Hazard plays it in and arsenal's captain heads it over for a Blues' corner.

Hazard swings it in and Cahill makes a connection but Oxlade-chamberlain knocks it out. It finds Bellering who speeds down the right and tries to knock it into the box but Courtois collects it easily. 

6:44PM

53 min

Costa collides with Oxlade-Chamberlain, then Monreal and then Xhaka and then says something that may not be suitable of children when he doesn't get the advantage.

The Blues are much improved, which is great for the neutral. 

6:42PM

51 min

Chelsea race up the pitch and Hazard sends a sweet ball to the edge of the six-yard box for Costa but Mertersacker is there to knock it off the striker's leg for the goal kick. 

You would not think the German hadn't started a game THIS SEASON. 

Kante nicks the ball in midfield and p[lays it out to Moses on his right. Ospina saves and Mertersacker knocks it out for a throw-in. 

6:40PM

49 min

Pedro with two shots just outside the box, first blocked by Mertersacker and then by Holding. Arsenal have possession but can't get out of their own half. 

We look like we're going to have a serious game now. 

Pedro plays it into the middle from the edge of the box and Kante takes a shot but Ospina collects easily, it looks like it took a deflection of Xhaka. 

6:38PM

46 min

Chelsea already looking brighter as Chelsea have had all the possession so far. 

Kante and Moses working well together to try and get Hazard on the ball, but Ramsey gets back to help his defense out and it's an Arsenal throw-in. 

6:36PM

Ready?

The player's are back on the pitch and the second-half is underway with Welbeck 

6:35PM

Chelsea could do with him being on fire in the second-half

David Luiz looking a little hot - Credit: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features
David Luiz looking a little hot Credit: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features

6:34PM

Armbands

If you noticed that Chelsea were without the black armbands in the first-hands, it was an error and they will be worn for the second-half. 

6:33PM

The Arsenal fans are happy

The Arsenal section of the stadium is very red - Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Getty Images Europe
The Arsenal section of the stadium is very red Credit: Laurence Griffiths /Getty Images Europe

6:29PM

Same again?

We wanted a great game and we've got one.

Hopefully there will be more action and a few more goals after the break. 

Ray Parlour is enjoying it. 

6:24PM

It's easy to see which team had the better chances

6:22PM

Time on ball (first half)

6:22PM

HALF-TIME

Arsenal lead through an Alexis Sanchez goal which will be the topic of conversation for the rest of the day. 

But the referee gave it and the Champions found themselves behind after four minutes. 

Chelsea will be disappointed with their showing so far. They looked like "they were on the beach" but unlikely they will be so lethargic in the second-half. 

Maybe an appearance from ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas. 

6:22PM

Average touch positions (half time)

6:20PM

46 min

Alonso sends it into row M (not as high as Z).

6:19PM

44 min

Costa's shock is blocked by Bellering but the Chelsea man gets the ball back. Out of nowhere, Holding blocks it and although Ramsey tries to get possession Pedro beats him to it and Monreal pushes him on the edge of the box. Alonso to take

6:18PM

43 min

I say appears, but may need to see a replay.

Hazard is down receiving treatment and the Blues will need a better performance from him in the second half. He's made his cheeky runs but hasn't created the space like he so often done. 

6:17PM

42 min

Nearing the end of the first-half and Arsenal are on the attack again. Sanchez sends a ball across the box to fins Ozil. Hazard nicks the ball and can you believe it, Ozil runs back and not only tackles him, but appears to get the ball. 

6:13PM

39 min

Chelsea are on the ball, but when they do get possession they always seem to be in the middle of the park. Conte's team need t be more incisive. 

Hazard dinks his way past the Arsenal defense and finds Pedro who tries his luck from just inside the box but it's over the bar. 

Not good enough from the Champions. 

Moses has a chance and Ospina spills it but Ramsey is there to clear. 

6:10PM

36 min

Bellerin wins the ball back from Alonso and he finds Welbeck on the right but he can't control it and it's a Chelsea throw-in. 

Once again the BLues lose possession and Xhaka knocks it forward to Sanchez, Welbeck is just behind him in the box but he slips and Luiz blocks Sanchez' shot for another corner to Arsenal. 

6:08PM

Shots

Although only one of those matters...

6:07PM

33 min

Arsenal waste their possession and Chelsea are on the attack with Hazard trying to create something. Alonso gets the ball on the edge of the box but once again Monreal is there. 

6:06PM

31 min

Half an hour in and this has been a lively game. Welbeck has a free-kick on the near side after he is fouled by Azpilicueta. 

Sanchez steps up to take and it's six yards outside, Matic heads clear and Xhaka has a shot but Courtois knocks it out for another corner.

6:04PM

Time on ball (15 - 30 min)

6:03PM

28 min

Ospina is up to defend the corner which never gets in the box after Bellerin nicks it of Alonso. They play it out to Welbeck but Courtois comes out big and it bounces over the keeper but is cleared by Cahill. 

6:02PM

SAVE!

Costa gets past Holding after a great cross-field ball from Pedro but Ospina comes out to knock it out. Unfortunately the keeper is down and being treated. 

Cech isn't a bad replacement, is he?

6:01PM

26 min

Matic plays in Costa on the edge of the box, he tries to turn but Mertersacker is there to block. Moses manages to recover the ball but Monreal is there to end the threat again. Chelsea keep heading back into their own half. 

Welbeck wins the ball and is fouled by Kante. Holding takes the free-kick and it's played along the back line to Oxlade-Chamberlain. He wins a throw-in by kicking the ball against Kante. 

5:58PM

24 min

Pedro gives away a free-kick in Arsenal's half as he tries to nick the ball off Xhaka who has looked a lot more impressive in recent weeks. Monreal knocks it out to Oxlade-Chamberlain who is on the left-wing today. 

5:56PM

22 min

Chelsea are on the edge of the box and Hazard plays in Costa who is running into the box but Mertersacker does well to end the threat. Chelsea can't get a grip of the ball and Arsenal regain possession in midfield. 

5:54PM

20 min

This is not the Chelsea we have gotten used to this season. The Champions look jaded 

When the Blues have looked good, it's been via Moses down the right hand side. They need to get Hazard more involved.  

5:53PM

17 min

We definitely have a game on our hands. Hazard plays in moses who is out on the right wing but Monreal makes a strong tackle. Monreal sends a cross-field ball to Ozil and it takes an Alonso challenge to end another Arsenal attack and the Gunners have a corner.

Welbeck with a chance but his header hits the bar from the Ozil corner. Chelsea are riding their luck right now. 

5:50PM

14 min

Hazard tried to weave his way around the Arsenal defence in the box, Monreal blocks it and it falls to Costa but he can't get his shot away. 

Arsenal are on the attack. Sanchez plays the ball to his right for Ozil who shoots from the edge of the box but somehow Cahill gets back to flick it off the line. 

5:49PM

Time on ball (0 - 14 min)

5:48PM

13 min

Another shot by Sanchez but it's over the bar from just outside the box. 

How will Arsenal cope if they lose him this summer?

5:46PM

10 min

Holding passes to Ozil who plays in Sanchez in the middle of the park Kante tries to cut the German's pass to Oxlade-Chamberlain but the England international is alert to his attempt. 

They knock the ball back to Ospina but the Gunners are the team in control right now. 

5:45PM

That contentious goal

5:44PM

8 min

First yellow card of the game. The referee played the advantage when Ramsey tried to pull Costa back before Monreal fouls him on the halfway line to concede a free-kick whic Luiz send back to Courtois. 

Surprisingly, Chelsea look the nervier of the two teams. 

5:41PM

5 min

So much confusion with referee Taylor conferring with his assistant before awarding the goal. Replays show there was a suspicion of handball from Sanchez but the goal stands and Arsenal take the lead. 

Chelsea aren't happy. and from the kick-off, Costa bares down on Holding who fouls him and gets a free kick 30-yards out. Hazard takes it and Costa heads it over the bar. 

5:41PM

Chelsea threaten for the first time

Following the earlier Arsenal effort, Chelsea register their first attempt at goal.

5:40PM

GOAL! 

Sanchez puts the ball in the back of the net after Costa gets in Kante's way on the halfway line. 

The referee says it's not a goal, but speaks to his assistant and they rule that Ramsey wasn't involved. 

Ramsey played the ball to Sanchez from inside the box, he stepped aside to let the Chilean shoot into Courtois' far post. 

5:39PM

GOAL!

1-0! Alexis Sánchez strikes to give Arsenal the early lead.

5:38PM

3 min

Arsenal on the attack with Xhaka playing in Bellering to his right. Chelsea are trying to stifle their rivals and the nor Londoners are forced back into their own half. 

The Blues look keen to catch arsenal on the counter attack. 

Sanchez is coming down the right and Azpilicueta is there to knock it out for a corner. Ozil takes but Courtois collects easily. 

5:36PM

1 min

Chelsea are straight into Arsenal's half with Danny Welbeck up front by himself. 

Gary Cahill knocks the ball out for a throw-in after Welbeck gets possession and Oxlade-Chamberlain takes the throw-in. 

This is going to be a serious test for the English striker who is still on his way back to full fitness. 

5:34PM

And we're off!

Diego Costa gets us underway as Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final. 

5:34PM

We stand together

An brilliant show of support from all at Wembley. 

5:32PM

We Love Manchester

Let's take a moment to show our support for all involved in the tragedy at Manchester Arena. 

Wreaths are being laid and a period of silence being held. 

5:29PM

No snubs

Everyone shaking hands, which is always good to see because we're all obsessed by that...

5:28PM

The national anthem

Emily Haig is singing for us today and I must admit I can't take my eyes of her sparkly dress. 

5:27PM

A quick reminder of your teams

5:25PM

Five minutes to go...

The teams are making their way onto the pitch. 

They're ready, I'm ready and I hope you are two. 

5:24PM

Two Arsenal greats

Arsenal Ladies' Alex Scott and Santi Cazorla getting in some selfie action - Credit: Stuart MacFarlane /Arsenal FC
Arsenal Ladies' Alex Scott and Santi Cazorla getting in some selfie action Credit: Stuart MacFarlane /Arsenal FC

5:22PM

Here we go people

It's "Abide With Me" time. I know you all know the words so feel free to sing along. 

All back up by a brilliant brass band.

The military brass band - Credit: Andy Rain/EPA
The military brass band Credit: Andy Rain/EPA

5:16PM

15 minutes to go...

The sun is shining, the pitch looks beautiful and hopefully both teams are ready. 

Fingers crossed for a great and fair game and some cracking goals. 

5:15PM

The teams get warmed up

Arsenal players doing their pre-game warm-up - Credit: John Sibley/Action Images via Reuters 
Arsenal players doing their pre-game warm-up Credit: John Sibley/Action Images via Reuters
John Terry is on the bench but still need to be ready, just in case - Credit: TGSPhoto/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features
John Terry is on the bench but still need to be ready, just in case Credit: TGSPhoto/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features

5:09PM

Wouldn't you love to be a fly on a wall?

Will it be the Italian or the Frenchman that is smiling come the end of the game?

Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger have a chat ahead of the game - Credit: BBC One
Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger have a chat ahead of the game Credit: BBC One

5:04PM

Practising for later

Will Ospina be ready if he sees this man bearing down on him?

Diego Costa gets ready to face Arsenal  - Credit: Lee Smith/Action Images via Reuters 
Diego Costa gets ready to face Arsenal Credit: Lee Smith/Action Images via Reuters

5:02PM

30 minutes to go...

It's nearly time and we hope you will stay with us for all the updates once the game starts. 

Maybe go and get some snacks and a nice beverage and lets hope we have a great game to watch. 

4:59PM

Wenger's words...

"I believe that 99% of Arsenal fans are fantastic people and you want to win the Cup for them."

4:55PM

A packed Wembley Way as we near kick-off

Anyone that has ever been to Wembley will have sympathy for those fans when they try to leave in a few hours time. 

Wembley Way as the fans head to the stadium for the 136th FA Cup final - Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images Europe
Wembley Way as the fans head to the stadium for the 136th FA Cup final Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images Europe

4:53PM

Is there anything Kante can't do?

The much praised midfielder has won even more fans this season and you have to question why Arsene Wenger didn't try and nab the Frenchman from Leicester. 

It's obvious that his calmness filters through the team and another composed performance from him could be the key to Antonio Conte doing the double in his first season in England. 

4:49PM

Keeping it old school

Expecting it to be a huge day for Rob Holding. He may be young and less experienced, but he has impressed during his 15 games for the club. 

He keeps it simple, keeps it calm and keeps it light on the hair gel. 

4:46PM

Tut tut Mr Loftus-Cheek

Cheeky from Ruben, opting not to wear a tie - Credit: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features
Cheeky from Ruben, opting not to wear a tie Credit: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock /Rex Features

4:43PM

As are the Chelsea boys

4:43PM

Arsenal players looking fairly relaxed

4:39PM

Those teams

Arsenal continue with their back three but this time it's the unfamiliar group of Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal; with David Ospina picked ahead of Petr Cech in goal. 

Possibly not the defensive line-up the fans would've chosen...

Not many surprises in the Chelsea team with Antonio Conte leaving John Terry on the bench, although he has been bringing him on as a late substitute in several games. 

If Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are in the form that they have been for the most of the season, it could be a long day for the Gunners. 

4:37PM

I bet Arsenal fans wish he was playing...

Santi Cazorla has a laugh with compatriot Pedro - Credit: Michael Regan - The FA /The FA Collection
Santi Cazorla has a laugh with compatriot Pedro Credit: Michael Regan - The FA /The FA Collection

4:34PM

Corbyn and Khan

The Labour leader and the London Mayor show who they're supporting

4:33PM

How Arsenal line up

Per Mertesacker starts his first game of the season! 

4:31PM

The teams are out

Here is the Chelsea team:

4:27PM

The last time they met...

Chelsea and Arsenal last met in the FA Cup final 15 years ago. For those of us old enough to remember, it feels like yesterday and the Gunners lifted the trophy after a 2-0 win with goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg.

Players on the pitch that day included "it's only" Ray Parlour, Marcel Desailly, Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira, Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Bergkamp. 

Arsenal did the double that year, and Chelsea could do the double today. 

4:20PM

Very dapper

The Chelsea pensioners show how to arrive at a game in style.