FA Cup final: what we learned

Pointers to take from Wembley showpiece

Despite going in as underdogs, written off across the board by pundits, odds compilers and neutrals alike, Arsenal won the 2017 FA Cup, thanks to a pulsating 2-1 over Premier League champions Chelsea.

Saturday’s success means The Gunners have lifted the trophy in three of the last four years, beating Hull and Aston Villa, before wrecking The Blues’ dreams of a double. Sanchez and Ramsey were on the scoresheet and if manager Arsene Wenger does decide to now leave the club, he’ll do it on a high.

So, what can punters take from the day going forward? We look at three lessons learned from the FA Cup final…..

Wenger continues to break records

The majority of Arsenal fans want him out, but Arsene Wenger can do no more. Despite losing out on Champions League football this season, he has made The Gunners a regular feature in Europe’s premier competition. He’s also claimed the FA Cup as his own, and a look at the stats leading up to Saturday would’ve pushed them as the value bet. As well as winning three of the last four FA Cup titles – 2014, 2015 and 2017 – it was Arsenal’s 13^th title overall.

That means they have now won the competition more times than any other side, Manchester United on 12, Spurs back on eight and Liverpool lagging behind on seven. What’s worth noting however is it was Wenger’s seventh FA Cup winners’ medal, making him the most successful manager in the history of the tournament. It gave the Frenchman a real chance to remind fans and critics just what they have to be grateful for.

Ramsey a big-game player

Aaron Ramsey isn’t the most consistent scorer in the Arsenal team, but he does save his best for the major events, and again rattled in an important goal on Saturday. Sanchez bagged with just four minutes on the clock but Chelsea worked their way back into the game, Diego Costa grabbing an equaliser deep into the second-half.