2017 FA Cup final

{{Short description|Association football championship match between Arsenal and Chelsea in 2017}}

{{Infobox football match

| title = 2017 FA Cup final

| image = Wembley-Stadion 2013.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = The match was played at Wembley Stadium.

| alt = Wembley Stadium

| event = 2016–17 FA Cup

| team1 = Arsenal

| team1score = 2

| team2 = Chelsea

| team2score = 1

| details =

| date = {{Start date|2017|5|27|df=y}}

| stadium = Wembley Stadium

| city = London

| man_of_the_match1a = Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)

| referee = Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

| attendance = 89,472

| weather = Scattered clouds
{{convert|20|°C|°F}}{{Cite web |title=History for London Heathrow, United Kingdom |url=https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LHR/2017/5/27/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Wembley+Stadium+(NW+London)&req_state=&req_statename=United+Kingdom&reqdb.zip=00000&reqdb.magic=10&reqdb.wmo=03672&MR=1 |work=Weather Wunderground |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623141511/https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LHR/2017/5/27/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Wembley+Stadium+(NW+London)&req_state=&req_statename=United+Kingdom&reqdb.zip=00000&reqdb.magic=10&reqdb.wmo=03672&MR=1 |url-status=live }}

| previous = 2016

| next = 2018

}}

The 2017 FA Cup final was an association football match between London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea on 27 May 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London, England. It was the 136th FA Cup final overall of English football's primary cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup), organised by the Football Association (FA). This was a rematch of the 2002 FA Cup Final and the first final since 2003 in which the sides had won once in the Premier League against one another, with a 3–0 victory for Arsenal in September 2016, and a 3–1 win for Chelsea the following February. The game was broadcast live in the United Kingdom by both BBC and BT Sport. BBC One provided the free-to-air coverage and BT Sport 2 was the pay-TV alternative.

The match was refereed by Anthony Taylor in front of a crowd of 89,472. Arsenal kicked off and dominated the early stages, opening the scoring with a controversial goal from Alexis Sánchez in the fourth minute. On 68 minutes, Victor Moses fell in the Arsenal penalty area under pressure and appealed for a penalty but instead was shown his second yellow card by the referee for diving and was sent off. In the 76th minute, Diego Costa scored for Chelsea to level the score at 1–1: he received the ball from Willian and struck the ball past David Ospina, the Arsenal goalkeeper. Two minutes later Aaron Ramsey scored with a header past Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after a cross from Olivier Giroud, who had come on as a substitute less than a minute earlier, to make it 2–1 to Arsenal. After four minutes of stoppage time, the whistle was blown and Arsenal won the FA Cup final 2–1, to secure a record-breaking 13th title, while Arsène Wenger became the most successful manager in the tournament's history with seven wins.

Winning the FA Cup would have meant Arsenal qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League group stage had they not already secured their place in the competition after finishing fifth in the 2016–17 Premier League. They also earned the right to play Chelsea who were the Premier League champions for the 2017 FA Community Shield.

Route to the final

= Arsenal =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"
+Route to the final for Arsenal
scope="col" style="width:25px"\|Round !scope="col" style="width:175px"\|Opposition !scope="col" style="width:70px"\|Score
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|3rd \|Preston North End (A) \|2–1
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|4th \|Southampton (A) \|5–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|5th \|Sutton United (A) \|2–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|QF \|Lincoln City (H) \|5–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|SF \|Manchester City (N) \|2–1 (a.e.t.)
colspan="3" style="background:white;"\|Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"

+Route to the final for Arsenal

scope="col" style="width:25px"|Round

!scope="col" style="width:175px"|Opposition

!scope="col" style="width:70px"|Score

scope=row style="text-align:center"|3rd

|Preston North End (A)

|2–1

scope=row style="text-align:center"|4th

|Southampton (A)

|5–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|5th

|Sutton United (A)

|2–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|QF

|Lincoln City (H)

|5–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|SF

|Manchester City (N)

|2–1 (a.e.t.)

colspan="3" style="background:white;"|Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue

As a Premier League team, Arsenal started their campaign in the third round and were drawn away at EFL Championship club Preston North End.{{Cite web | url = https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/pdf/fa-competitions-2016-17/fa-cup/fa-cup-rules-2016-2017.ashx?la=en | format = pdf | title = Rules of the FA Challenge Cup Competition ("the Competition") | publisher = The Football Association | access-date = 7 January 2021 | page = 3 | archive-date = 27 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210327155507/https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/pdf/fa-competitions-2016-17/fa-cup/fa-cup-rules-2016-2017.ashx?la=en | url-status = live }} At Deepdale, Callum Robinson put Preston ahead from close range in the seventh minute to give the home side a {{nowrap|1–0}} lead at half-time. A minute after the interval, Aaron Ramsey equalised with a powerful shot from the edge of the Preston penalty area before Olivier Giroud's deflected strike gave Arsenal a {{nowrap|2–1}} victory.{{cite web |last=Rose |first=Gary |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38474710 |title=Preston North End 1–2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075155/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38474710 |url-status=live }} In the fourth round, they faced fellow Premier League side Southampton away from home at St Mary's Stadium. Danny Welbeck scored twice before the midway point of the first half before crossing to Theo Walcott to score from close range to make it {{nowrap|3–0}} at half-time. Walcott completed his hat-trick in the second half, with two assists from Alexis Sánchez, and Arsenal won {{nowrap|5–0}}.{{cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil | authorlink=Phil McNulty| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38700749 |title=Southampton 0–5 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075148/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38700749 |url-status=live }}

In the fifth round, Arsenal were drawn away against non-League side Sutton United of the National League who were 105 places below them in the English football league system. At Sutton's Gander Green Lane, Arsenal won {{nowrap|2–0}} with goals from Lucas Pérez and Walcott either side of half-time.{{cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil | authorlink=Phil McNulty | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38952752 |title=Sutton United 0–2 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075154/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38952752 |url-status=live }} The match was also noted for Sutton United's reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw being investigated by the Football Association and Gambling Commission: he had eaten a pie pitchside and admitted after the match that he had known that a betting company had offered odds on him doing so.{{cite news |last=Aarons |first=Ed |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/21/sutton-united-wayne-shaw-fa-betting-rules |title=Wayne Shaw leaves Sutton United amid investigations over pie-eating stunt |work=The Guardian |date=21 February 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123144832/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/21/sutton-united-wayne-shaw-fa-betting-rules |url-status=live }} In the quarter-final, Arsenal were drawn at home at the Emirates Stadium against National League club Lincoln City. Walcott gave Arsenal a one-goal lead in first-half stoppage time before second-half goals from Giroud, Sánchez and Ramsey, and an own goal by Luke Waterfall, gave the home side a {{nowrap|5–0}} victory.{{cite web |last=Rose |first=Gary |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39162720 |title=Arsenal 5–0 Lincoln City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 March 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=22 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422235109/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39162720 |url-status=live }} In the semi-final which took place at Wembley Stadium as a neutral venue, they played against fellow Premier League team Manchester City. After a goalless first half, Sergio Agüero put Manchester City ahead on the hour mark before Nacho Monreal scored the equaliser with a volley from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross. The match ended {{nowrap|1–1}} in regular time and went into extra time. In the 101st minute, Sánchez scored from close range to put Arsenal ahead, a lead which they kept for a {{nowrap|2–1}} win and progression to the final.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/fa-cup/2016-2017/arsenal-v-man-city-preview-live-tv-details-tickets-match-facts-quotes-odds_sto6136780/story.shtml |title=Alexis Sanchez hits extra-time winner as Arsenal edge FA Cup thriller against Manchester City |publisher=Eurosport |date=17 February 2017 |access-date=23 April 2017 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013141849/https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/fa-cup/2016-2017/arsenal-v-man-city-preview-live-tv-details-tickets-match-facts-quotes-odds_sto6136780/story.shtml |url-status=live }}

= Chelsea =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"
+Route to the final for Chelsea
scope="col" style="width:25px"\|Round !scope="col" style="width:175px"\|Opposition !scope="col" style="width:70px"\|Score
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|3rd \|Peterborough United (H) \|4–1
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|4th \|Brentford (H) \|4–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|5th \|Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) \|2–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|QF \|Manchester United (H) \|1–0
scope=row style="text-align:center"\|SF \|Tottenham Hotspur (N) \|4–2
colspan="3" style="background:white;"\|Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;margin:0"

+Route to the final for Chelsea

scope="col" style="width:25px"|Round

!scope="col" style="width:175px"|Opposition

!scope="col" style="width:70px"|Score

scope=row style="text-align:center"|3rd

|Peterborough United (H)

|4–1

scope=row style="text-align:center"|4th

|Brentford (H)

|4–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|5th

|Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

|2–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|QF

|Manchester United (H)

|1–0

scope=row style="text-align:center"|SF

|Tottenham Hotspur (N)

|4–2

colspan="3" style="background:white;"|Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue

File:Chelsea 4 Spurs 2 (34175049426).jpg

Chelsea also started their FA Cup campaign in the third round where they were drawn at home at Stamford Bridge against League One side Peterborough United. The home side took the lead through Pedro, and Michy Batshuayi doubled their advantage before half-time. Willian made it {{nowrap|3–0}} seven minutes after the interval before John Terry was sent off for a foul on Lee Angol. Three minutes later, Tom Nichols scored for Peterborough but Pedro scored with 15 minutes to go to make the final score {{nowrap|4–1}}.{{cite web |last=Reddy |first=Luke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38481659 |title=Chelsea 4–1 Peterborough United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075150/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38481659 |url-status=live }} In the fourth round, they were drawn against Championship team Brentford at home. Goals from Willian and Pedro made it {{nowrap|2–0}} after 21 minutes, before Branislav Ivanović's goal on the break and a penalty from Batshuayi gave Chelsea a {{nowrap|4–0}} victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38700669 |title=Chelsea 4–0 Brentford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075238/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38700669 |url-status=live }}

In the fifth round, Chelsea faced Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers away at Molineux. After a goalless first half, Pedro gave Chelsea the lead with a header midway through the second before Diego Costa secured a {{nowrap|2–0}} win with a low strike in the 89th minute.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38940092 |title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Chelsea |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075304/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38940092 |url-status=live }} In the quarter-final, Chelsea were drawn at home against fellow Premier League side and FA Cup holders Manchester United. Ander Herrera was sent off for Manchester United in the 35th minute for a second yellow card before N'Golo Kanté scored the game's solitary goal early in the second half with a low driven shot which beat David de Gea.{{cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil | authorlink = Phil McNulty| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39176050 |title=Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075246/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39176050 |url-status=live }} In the semi-final at Wembley Stadium, Chelsea took on Tottenham Hotspur, their London rivals. Willian gave Chelsea the lead in the fifth minute with a free kick before Harry Kane equalised with a low header. Son Heung-min was adjudged to have fouled on Victor Moses on 43 minutes and Willian converted the subsequent penalty to give Chelsea a {{nowrap|2–1}} half-time lead. Dele Alli equalised from a Christian Eriksen pass early in the second half but strikes from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matić secured a {{nowrap|4–2}} win for Chelsea and qualification for the final.{{cite web |last=McNulty |first=Phil | authorlink = Phil McNulty| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39604653 |title=Chelsea 4–2 Tottenham Hotspur |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2017 |access-date=22 April 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075256/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39604653 |url-status=live }}

Pre-match

Arsenal were appearing in the FA Cup final for the 20th time, and for the third time in four years. They had won the cup twelve times, and were beaten finalists seven times; most recently in 2001.{{efn|Arsenal had won the FA Cup in 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014 and 2015.{{Cite web | url = https://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/stories/fa-cup-finals | publisher = The Football Association | access-date = 10 April 2021 | title = FA Cup Finals the winners' list}}}} By comparison, Chelsea were making their 12th appearance in a FA Cup final.{{cite web |title=Arsenal vs Chelsea, match preview |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/preview/371643 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075246/https://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/preview/371643 |url-status=live }} The club won the cup seven times and lost four finals.{{efn|Chelsea had won the FA Cup in 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.}} The clubs had previously met 13 times in the FA Cup. Arsenal held an advantage in those meetings, winning seven of the last eight; Chelsea won the last FA Cup tie, a {{nowrap|2–1}} victory in April 2009.{{cite web |title=Arsenal v Chelsea |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527113654/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2017 |archive-date=27 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017}} This was the second FA Cup final to feature both sides; the first was won by Arsenal in 2002.{{cite web |title=Arsenal vs Chelsea 2002 FA Cup finalists – where are they now? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/26/arsenal-vs-chelsea-2002-fa-cup-finalists-now/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075233/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/26/arsenal-vs-chelsea-2002-fa-cup-finalists-now/ |url-status=live }}

File:Conte UDI-ATA 1-3.jpg was on course to win the domestic double in his first season at the club.]]

The most recent meeting between the two teams was a league encounter in February 2017, Chelsea winning by three goals to one, a result which moved them 12 points clear in first position.{{cite web |title=Eden Hazard mesmerises Arsenal to tighten Chelsea's Premier League grip |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/04/chelsea-arsenal-premier-league-match-report |newspaper=The Observer |date=5 February 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075318/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/04/chelsea-arsenal-premier-league-match-report |url-status=live }} The victory was significant given that Chelsea had lost the reverse fixture 3–0 in September 2016, in what BBC journalist Phil McNulty described as a "watershed moment" in their season.{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty | authorlink=Phil McNulty|title=Chelsea 3–1 Arsenal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38779302 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 February 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075237/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38779302 |url-status=live }} While Arsenal struggled to build momentum throughout autumn and winter, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's tactical switch from 4–3–3 to 3–4–3 thereafter resulted in a 13-match winning run.{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty | authorlink=Phil McNulty |title=Arsenal: Are Arsene Wenger's side spurning title chance again? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38359736 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2016 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075318/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38359736 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Phil |last=McNulty | authorlink=Phil McNulty| title=Chelsea are Premier League champions: How did Antonio Conte do it? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39885837 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075237/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39885837 |url-status=live }} They won the Premier League with two matches to spare, and later set a new divisional record for the most wins (30).{{cite web |title=Are Chelsea champions of the year-on-year football points swing? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/31/are-chelsea-champions-of-the-year-on-year-football-points-swing |work=The Guardian |date=31 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075234/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/31/are-chelsea-champions-of-the-year-on-year-football-points-swing |url-status=live }}

Arsenal ended the season in fifth place, their lowest placing under manager Arsène Wenger, missing out on UEFA Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.{{cite web |first1=JJ |last1=Bull |first2=Jeremy |last2=Wilson |title=How Liverpool secured Champions League spot as Arsenal fell short |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/21/premier-league-final-day-live-score-updates-arsenal-liverpool/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075227/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/21/premier-league-final-day-live-score-updates-arsenal-liverpool/ |url-status=live }} Wenger's future had been cast into doubt following a bad run of form in February and March, which included the team losing {{nowrap|10–2}} on aggregate against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the worst aggregate performance by an English club in the history of the tournament.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39152642 | publisher = BBC Sport | title = Arsenal 1–5 Bayern Munich | first = Saj | last = Chowdhury | access-date = 10 April 2021 | date = 7 March 2017}}{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/arsenal/tab/matches/season/2017/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 10 April 2021 | title = Arsenal football club match record: 2017}}

To arrest the decline, Wenger adopted a similar tactical change to Conte, playing three defenders at the back.{{cite web |title=FA Cup final manager focus: Antonio Conte v Arsene Wenger |url=http://sport.bt.com/football/fa-cup-final-manager-focus-antonio-conte-v-arsene-wenger-S11364182481963 |publisher=BT Sport |date=23 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075332/http://sport.bt.com/football/fa-cup-final-manager-focus-antonio-conte-v-arsene-wenger-S11364182481963 |url-status=live }} Arsenal went on to win eight of their last nine fixtures, but Wenger suggested his team were not favourites: "it's quite even or maybe Chelsea are ahead, so it's a bit similar to what happened in the semi-final against Manchester City. That's part of what makes it all exciting as well."{{cite web |title=Wenger – Breaking record not my priority |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170524/wenger-breaking-record-not-my-priority |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075332/https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170524/wenger-breaking-record-not-my-priority |url-status=live }} Of his future he said, "It will not be my last match anyway, because I will stay, no matter what happens, in football."{{cite web |first=James |last=Olley |title=FA Cup Final will not determine Arsene Wenger's future |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-will-not-determine-arsene-wenger-future-a3547461.html |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075332/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-will-not-determine-arsene-wenger-future-a3547461.html |url-status=live }} Former Arsenal player Paul Merson's evaluation was, "Mertesacker is going to be crucial for Arsenal if he plays; he will have to play very well if Arsenal are to have any chance. If he doesn't play well then Chelsea are going to cut through Arsenal like a knife through butter."{{cite web |title=Paul Merson's FA Cup final prediction: Chelsea set for comfortable win over Arsenal |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10891760/paul-mersons-fa-cup-final-prediction-chelsea-set-for-comfortable-win-over-arsenal |first=Paul |last=Merson | authorlink = Paul Merson | publisher=Sky Sports |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075336/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10891760/paul-mersons-fa-cup-final-prediction-chelsea-set-for-comfortable-win-over-arsenal |url-status=live }}

Conte described Wenger as one of the "greats" in football, and felt he would remain as Arsenal manager come the season's end.{{cite web |title=FA Cup final: Arsene Wenger one of the game's greats – Antonio Conte |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40062358 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 February 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075342/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40062358 |url-status=live }} "He has done a fantastic job. Sometimes in England I think you undervalue the achievement of qualifying for the Champions League. Only this season they haven't qualified for the Champions League," he continued. Conte reiterated the importance of his players keeping their focus and wanted Chelsea to "pay great attention and focus" to their opponents.{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Burrows |title=Chelsea boss Antonio Conte doesn't think FA Cup final will be Arsene Wenger's last game in charge of Arsenal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/antonio-conte-press-conference-arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-preview-a7757896.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075249/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/antonio-conte-press-conference-arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-preview-a7757896.html |url-status=live }} Hazard, who was playing in his first FA Cup final, was eager to win the competition: "For Chelsea, for such a big club like this, you need to win one, two, three trophies every season if you can. Now we have the possibility to win another trophy so all the players are ready for that. It's such a great competition for the fans."

File:Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1 (35008804615).jpg

While Chelsea had no injury or suspension worries, Arsenal had doubts over the fitness of Petr Čech and Shkodran Mustafi, and were already without defenders Laurent Koscielny (suspension) and Gabriel (ankle injury).{{cite web |first=David |last=Hytner |title=Arsenal v Chelsea: match preview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/26/arsenal-chelsea-match-preview |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075245/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/26/arsenal-chelsea-match-preview |url-status=live }} Per Mertesacker was expected to start; the Germany international only featured once for Arsenal's first team during the season.{{cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |title=Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker could be forced to start FA Cup final |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/arsenal-captain-per-mertesacker-could-forced-start-fa-cup-final/ |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075227/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/arsenal-captain-per-mertesacker-could-forced-start-fa-cup-final/ |url-status=live }} The day before the final The Guardian reported that Wenger chose David Ospina to start in goal ahead of Čech.{{cite web |first=David |last=Hytner |title=Arsène Wenger drops Petr Cech and gives David Ospina nod for FA Cup final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/26/petr-cech-injury-hands-david-ospina-fa-cup-final-start-for-arsenal |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075248/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/26/petr-cech-injury-hands-david-ospina-fa-cup-final-start-for-arsenal |url-status=live }}

Both clubs received an allocation of approximately 28,000 tickets.{{cite web |title=2017 Emirates FA Cup Final details confirmed |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/apr/25/the-emirates-fa-cup-final-details-250417 |publisher=The Football Association |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013160454/http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/apr/25/the-emirates-fa-cup-final-details-250417 |url-status=live }} For adults, these were priced £45, £65, £85 and £115, with concessions in place. Chelsea supporters were situated in the west side of the ground, while Arsenal's were allocated in the east.{{cite web |first=Luke |last=Brown |title=Arsenal and Chelsea supporters allocated 28,000 tickets for next month's FA Cup final at Wembley |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/fa-cup-final-details-released-arsenal-chelsea-fans-tickets-a7701766.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=25 April 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075251/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/fa-cup-final-details-released-arsenal-chelsea-fans-tickets-a7701766.html |url-status=live }} The remaining 14,000 tickets were distributed to what the FA described as the "football family which includes volunteers representing counties, leagues, local clubs and charities". The losing finalist would receive £1.6{{nbsp}}million in total prize money while the winners earned a total of £3.4{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Hall |title=FA Cup prize money 2017: How much prize money will Arsenal or Chelsea receive for winning the trophy? |url=http://www.cityam.com/256555/fa-cup-third-round-much-winning-worth-its-prize-money |newspaper=City A.M. |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075303/https://www.cityam.com/fa-cup-third-round-much-winning-worth-its-prize-money/ |url-status=live }} Security at Wembley Stadium was tightened in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing and Arsenal cancelled a screening of the game at their ground.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/arsenal-cancel-fa-cup-final-screening-vs-chelsea-manchester-terror-attack-security-threat-a7753326.html |title=Arsenal cancel FA Cup final screening at Emirates Stadium due to security threat after Manchester terror attack |last=De Menezes |first=Jack |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=27 June 2017 |work=The Independent |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075254/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/arsenal-cancel-fa-cup-final-screening-vs-chelsea-manchester-terror-attack-security-threat-a7753326.html |url-status=live }} Both clubs cancelled plans for open top bus victory parades.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/chelsea-cancel-premier-league-victory-parade-light-manchester/|title=Chelsea cancel Premier League victory parade in light of Manchester terror attack|date=24 May 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075255/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/chelsea-cancel-premier-league-victory-parade-light-manchester/|url-status=live}}

The game was broadcast live in the United Kingdom by both BBC and BT Sport. BBC One provided the free-to-air coverage and BT Sport 2 was the pay-TV alternative.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/fa-cup-final|title=FA Cup Final 2017 across the BBC|date=25 May 2017|publisher=BBC News|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075144/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/fa-cup-final|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://sport.bt.com/football/arsenal-v-chelsea-live-stream-the-fa-cup-final-online-or-watch-on-tv-with-bt-sport-S11364182537399|title=Arsenal v Chelsea: Live stream the FA Cup final online or watch on TV with BT Sport|date=23 May 2017|publisher=BT Sport|access-date=26 May 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075228/http://sport.bt.com/football/arsenal-v-chelsea-live-stream-the-fa-cup-final-online-or-watch-on-tv-with-bt-sport-S11364182537399|url-status=live}} It was the first time in the history of the FA Cup that a spidercam was utilised during the match.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/14 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 7 January 2021 | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (14 of 15) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | date = 27 May 2017 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092555/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/14 | url-status = live }}

Sol Campbell and Eddie Newton came onto the pitch to greet the supporters and place the trophy on a plinth.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/27/arsenal-v-chelsea-2017-fa-cup-final-live|title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea: 2017 FA Cup final – as it happened|work = The Guardian|date=27 May 2017|access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614163938/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/27/arsenal-v-chelsea-2017-fa-cup-final-live|url-status=live}} As they departed, the traditional Cup Final hymn, "Abide with Me" was sung by representatives of eight clubs, including Lincoln City, Guernsey, Millwall and Sutton United.{{cite web |title=2017 Emirates FA Cup Final details confirmed |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/19/emirates-fa-cup-final-pre-match-entertainment-190517 |publisher=The Football Association |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075305/https://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/19/emirates-fa-cup-final-pre-match-entertainment-190517 |url-status=live }} The teams emerged moments later led by their managers, and players were greeted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Soprano Emily Haig sang the national anthem and a minute's silence was then held to honour the victims of the Manchester attack. Prince William, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and FA chairman Greg Clarke laid wreaths on the pitch in tribute.

Match

=Summary=

==First half==

File:Alexis Sanchez Arsenal Vs Burnley (24736448805) (cropped) (cropped).jpg

Arsenal kicked off the match around 5:30{{nbsp}}p.m. on 27 May 2017 at Wembley Stadium in front of 89,472 spectators. Chelsea lined up as a 3–4–3 formation with Pedro, Costa and Hazard in attack, while Arsenal adopted a 3–4–2–1 with Welbeck up front. Arsenal dominated the early stages of the match and opened the scoring with a goal from Sánchez in the fourth minute, shooting past the advancing goalkeeper from {{convert|6|yd}} out with his right foot. The goal was initially flagged as offside as Ramsey was adjudged as being in an offside position. After discussion with his assistant referee, the overrode the decision and awarded Arsenal the goal due to Ramsey not attempting to play the ball. In the tenth minute, Ramsey was shown the first yellow card of the match. In the 15th minute, Sánchez struck from distance but his shot was high, before Costa's shot from around {{convert|14|yd}} was blocked by Arsenal's defence. A minute later, Mesut Özil's side-footed shot was cleared off the line by Gary Cahill.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 8)| first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2= Lofthouse| publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/8}} On 19 minutes, Arsenal hit the frame of Chelsea's goal twice in quick succession: Welbeck's header struck the post and the ball rebounded on Ramsey's chest from where it hit the post once more before going out.

Midway through the half, Hazard passed to Moses whose shot was blocked before Mertesacker stopped Costa's shot. On 29 minutes, a quick break from Arsenal ended with Welbeck opting to shoot from a narrow angle and Cahill making another goal-line clearance. Three minutes later, Sánchez's floated free kick fell to Granit Xhaka whose strike from distance was saved by Thibaut Courtois, the Chelsea goalkeeper.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 7) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/7 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092551/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/7 | url-status = live }} With six minutes of the half remaining, Pedro's shot from the edge of the Arsenal penalty area went over the crossbar. Early in stoppage time, Monreal fouled Pedro near the box but Alonso's free kick was off-target and the half ended {{nowrap|1–0}}.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 6) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/6 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092614/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/6 | url-status = live }}

==Second half==

File:Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1 (34621140880).jpg

Neither side made any changes to their personnel during the interval and the second half kicked off with neither side dominating. Four minutes in, Pedro's shot was blocked by Mertesacker before Kanté's powerful shot was caught by Ospina in the Arsenal goal. Costa's attempt was then blocked by Mertesacker before Moses was kept out by Arsenal's defence. In the 54th minute, Rob Holding was booked for bringing Costa down on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area: Pedro's subsequent free kick was headed clear by Mertesacker.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 5) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/5 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092555/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/5 | url-status = live }} Two minutes later Moses was shown the yellow card for a foul on Welbeck before Kanté was booked for illegally blocking Ramsey. In the 61st minute, Chelsea made the first substitution of the match when Matić was replaced by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas. Héctor Bellerín then took possession of the ball on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area after a run down the left wing by Welbeck, but his low shot was saved by Courtois diving to his left. On 68 minutes, Moses fell in the Arsenal area while close to Monreal and appealed for a penalty but instead was shown his second yellow card by the referee for diving and was sent off. With 18 minutes of the game remaining, Chelsea made their second change with Willian coming on for Pedro.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 4) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/4 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092556/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/4 | url-status = live }}

In the 76th minute, Costa scored for Chelsea to level the score at {{nowrap|1–1}}: he received the ball from Willian, chested it down and struck the ball past Ospina. Giroud then came on for Welbeck, and 38 seconds later Arsenal re-took the lead: Ramsey headed the ball past Courtois after a cross from Giroud to make it {{nowrap|2–1}}. With ten minutes remaining, David Luiz headed Willian's free kick into the side netting. Arsenal's Oxlade-Chamberlain was then replaced by Francis Coquelin who was booked within a minute for a foul. On 85 minutes, Bellerín received the ball on the halfway line and ran at Luiz, beating him before shooting wide of the Chelsea goal. Costa's strike then hit Ospina squarely in the chest from close range. Batshuayi came on in the 88th minute to replace Costa before Özil side-footed shot struck the Chelsea goal-post.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 3) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/3 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092555/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/3 | url-status = live }} Three minutes into injury time, Arsenal brought on Mohamed Elneny to replace Sánchez. After one further minute of stoppage time, the whistle was blown and Arsenal won the FA Cup final {{nowrap|2–1}}.{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 2) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757/page/2 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092555/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757/page/2 | url-status = live }}

=Details=

{{footballbox

|date = {{Start date|2017|05|27|df=y}}

|time = 17:30 BST

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report = http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/27/arsenal-chelsea-emirates-fa-cup-final-report-270517

|team2 = Chelsea

|goals1 = Sánchez {{goal|4}}
Ramsey {{goal|79}}

|goals2 = Costa {{goal|76}}

|stadium = Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance = 89,472

|referee = Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

}}

width=92%

{{Football kit

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|leftarm = FFFFFF

|body = FFFFFF

|rightarm = FFFFFF

|shorts = FFFFFF

|socks = FF0000

|title = Arsenal

|alt = Red shirts with white sleeves and collar, white shorts with red trim, red socks with white trim

}}

|{{Football kit

|pattern_la = _chelfc1617h

| pattern_b = _cfc1617H

| pattern_ra = _chelfc1617h

| pattern_sh = _adidaswhite

| pattern_so = _chelsea1617h

|leftarm = 1237CB

|body = 1237CB

|rightarm = 1237CB

|shorts = 1237CB

|socks = FFFFFF

|title = Chelsea

|alt = Blue shirts with white collar, blue shorts with white trim, white socks with blue trim

}}

width=25\|	width=25\|
style="width:100%"
style="vertical-align:top;width:40%"\| {\| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	13	{{flagicon\|COL}} David Ospina
CB	16	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Rob Holding	{{yel\|53}}
CB	4	{{flagicon\|GER}} Per Mertesacker (c)
CB	18	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Nacho Monreal
RM	24	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Héctor Bellerín
CM	8	{{flagicon\|WAL}} Aaron Ramsey	{{yel\|9}}
CM	29	{{flagicon\|CHE}} Granit Xhaka	{{yel\|81}}
LM	15	{{nowrap\|{{flagicon\|ENG}} Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain		{{suboff\|82}}}}
RW	11	{{flagicon\|GER}} Mesut Özil
CF	23	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Danny Welbeck		{{suboff\|78}}
LW	7	{{flagicon\|CHI}} Alexis Sánchez		{{suboff\|90+3}}
colspan=4\|Substitutes:
GK	33	{{flagicon\|CZE}} Petr Čech
MF	34	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Francis Coquelin	{{yel\|83}}	{{subon\|82}}
MF	35	{{flagicon\|EGY}} Mohamed Elneny		{{subon\|90+3}}
FW	9	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Lucas Pérez
FW	12	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Olivier Giroud		{{subon\|78}}
FW	14	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Theo Walcott
FW	17	{{flagicon\|Nigeria}} Alex Iwobi
colspan=4\|Manager:
colspan="4"\|{{flagicon\|FRA}} Arsène Wenger

|style="vertical-align:top"|File:Arsenal vs Chelsea 2017-05-27.svg

|style="vertical-align:top; width:50%"|

width=25\|	width=25\|
cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size:90%; margin:auto"
GK	13	{{flagicon\|BEL}} Thibaut Courtois
CB	28	{{flagicon\|ESP}} César Azpilicueta
CB	30	{{flagicon\|BRA}} David Luiz
CB	24	{{flagicon\|ENG}} Gary Cahill (c)
RM	15	{{flagicon\|Nigeria}} Victor Moses	{{sentoff\|2\|57\|68}}
CM	7	{{flagicon\|FRA}} N'Golo Kanté	{{yel\|59}}
CM	21	{{flagicon\|SER}} Nemanja Matić		{{suboff\|61}}
LM	3	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Marcos Alonso
RW	11	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Pedro		{{suboff\|72}}
CF	19	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Diego Costa		{{suboff\|88}}
LW	10	{{flagicon\|BEL}} Eden Hazard
colspan=4\|Substitutes:
GK	1	{{flagicon\|Bosnia}} Asmir Begović
DF	5	{{flagicon\|FRA}} Kurt Zouma
DF	6	{{flagicon\|NED}} Nathan Aké
DF	26	{{flagicon\|ENG}} John Terry
MF	4	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Cesc Fàbregas		{{subon\|61}}
MF	22	{{flagicon\|BRA}} Willian		{{subon\|72}}
FW	23	{{flagicon\|BEL}} Michy Batshuayi		{{subon\|88}}
colspan=4\|Head coach:
colspan="4"\|{{flagicon\|ITA}} Antonio Conte

style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"

|style="width:40%; vertical-align:top;"|

Man of the Match:

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal)

Assistant referees:{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/apr/26/anthony-taylor-to-referee-emirates-fa-cup-final-260417 |title=Taylor-made for FA Cup Final |publisher=The Football Association |date=26 April 2017 |access-date=24 February 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902232541/http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/apr/26/anthony-taylor-to-referee-emirates-fa-cup-final-260417 |url-status=live }}

Gary Beswick (Durham)

Marc Perry (West Midlands)

Fourth official:

Bobby Madley (West Yorkshire)

Fifth official:

Adam Nunn (Wiltshire)

|style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"|

Match rules

90 minutes.
30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Seven named substitutes.
Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
+Statistics{{cite web \|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/stats/371643 \|title=Match statistics \|publisher=Sky Sports \|date=27 May 2017 \|access-date=3 June 2017 \|archive-date=6 December 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206213037/http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/stats/371643 \|url-status=live }}
scope="col"\|Statistic !scope="col" style="width:70px"\|Arsenal !scope="col" style="width:70px"\|Chelsea
scope=row\|Goals scored \|2\|\|1
scope=row\|Possession \|52.4%\|\|47.6%
scope=row\|Shots on target \|6\|\|5
scope=row\|Shots off target \|7\|\|7
scope=row\|Corner kicks \|7\|\|5
scope=row\|Offsides \|0\|\|0
scope=row\|Yellow cards \|4\|\|1
scope=row\|Red cards \|0\|\|1

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

+Statistics{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/stats/371643 |title=Match statistics |publisher=Sky Sports |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206213037/http://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-chelsea/stats/371643 |url-status=live }}

scope="col"|Statistic

!scope="col" style="width:70px"|Arsenal

!scope="col" style="width:70px"|Chelsea

scope=row|Goals scored

|2||1

scope=row|Possession

|52.4%||47.6%

scope=row|Shots on target

|6||5

scope=row|Shots off target

|7||7

scope=row|Corner kicks

|7||5

scope=row|Offsides

|0||0

scope=row|Yellow cards

|4||1

scope=row|Red cards

|0||1

Post-match

Winning the game secured a record 13th title for Arsenal, while Wenger became the most successful manager in the tournament's history with seven wins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-arsene-wenger-mikel-arteta-a9647501.html|title=How Arsene Wenger has helped Mikel Arteta prepare for FA Cup final|date=31 July 2020|work=The Independent|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092612/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/arsenal-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-final-arsene-wenger-mikel-arteta-a9647501.html|url-status=live}} Although winning the FA Cup would have secured a 2017–18 UEFA Europa League group stage qualification, Arsenal had already qualified for the competition with a fifth-placed finish in the 2016–17 Premier League, which saw them fail to qualify for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39912025 | title = Arsenal 3–1 Everton | access-date = 11 March 2021 | publisher = BBC Sport | first = Phil | last = McNulty | date = 19 May 2017 | authorlink = Phil McNulty | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092600/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39912025 | url-status = live }}{{Cite web | url = https://www.premierleague.com/news/402785 | publisher = Premier League | access-date = 10 April 2021 | date = 25 May 2017 | title = Which clubs qualify for Europe in 2017/18?}} Due to the circumstances surrounding Mertesacker's appearance,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/arsenal-captain-per-mertesacker-could-forced-start-fa-cup-final/|title=Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker could be forced to start FA Cup final|first=Jeremy|last=Wilson|date=24 May 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075227/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/24/arsenal-captain-per-mertesacker-could-forced-start-fa-cup-final/|url-status=live}} and performance on the day,{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fa-cup-final-2017-player-10513459|title=FA Cup Final player ratings as Sanchez steals the show at Wembley|first=John|last=Cross|date=27 May 2017|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075145/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fa-cup-final-2017-player-10513459|url-status=live}} some Arsenal fans and former players have dubbed the game The Mertesacker Final.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/its-special-because-its-my-final-season#hpof2GXE7dtECMLo.99|title='It's special because it's my final season'|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106075228/https://www.arsenal.com/news/its-special-because-its-my-final-season#hpof2GXE7dtECMLo.99|url-status=live}}

Welbeck praised his team but refused to be drawn on Wenger's future, saying "It was a great team performance{{nbsp}}... The manager is his own man and he makes his own decision and the board will make the right decision so I can't comment on that." Wenger himself focused on his team's display: "We had an outstanding performance from the first minute onwards. This team has suffered. They've united and responded." Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois refused to blame Moses for the defeat: "We are obviously disappointed but I want to say congratulations to Arsenal. They played a good game{{nbsp}}... we went down to 10 men and the red card was correct. Victor Moses doesn't need to apologise."{{Cite web | title = Arsenal defeat Chelsea to win FA Cup (page 1) | first1 = Caroline | last1 = Chapman | first2 = Amy | last2 = Lofthouse | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 27 May 2017 | access-date = 11 March 2021 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/38395757 | archive-date = 21 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321092621/https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/38395757 | url-status = live }} Losing manager Conte said he had been surprised by Arsenal and that his side had started poorly: "Arsenal started very well with great determination. They surprised us a bit but I repeat our first 25 minutes weren't good{{nbsp}}... Our season was incredible to win the league in this way, it was great but now its important to look forward and to restart."

Notes

References