Monday, 3 August 2020

Arteta makes Arsenal history with FA Cup final victory


The Spaniard is the first man to win the trophy as a captain and manager with the north London club, who picked up their 14th win in the competition
Mikel Arteta was left celebrating a unique feat on Saturday as he capped his debut season in charge of Arsenal by leading the Gunners to victory in the FA Cup.
The former Arsenal captain was appointed as Unai Emery's replacement on the bench in December 2019, with the club languishing in mid-table following a disappointing start to the Premier League season.




But while results have picked up under Pep Guardiola's former number two at Manchester City, a late dip consigned the Gunners to eighth place, finishing outside of European qualification.
Arsenal therefore needed victory at Wembley to seal a spot in the 2020-21 Europa League, which duly arrived with a 2-1 comeback victory over 10-man Chelsea.
Christian Pulisic fired the Blues ahead after just five minutes, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang equalised from the spot to send the two sides into half-time deadlocked at 1-1.
Aubameyang then fired home his side's second after some excellent footwork in the penalty area, while Chelsea saw Mateo Kovacic receive his marching orders for a second yellow card and also lost Cesar Azpilicueta, Pulisic and Pedro to injury across a hard-fought 90 minutes.


No man before Arteta had ever led Arsenal to FA Cup glory as both a captain and manager, the Spaniard having previously lifted the trophy on two occasions during his time at the Emirates.
Arteta also became the first Gunners boss to taste success in his debut season on the bench since George Graham, who clinched the League Cup shortly after his appointment in the 1986-87 campaign.

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