Arsenal Vs Chelsea: 5 things we learned – FA Cup Glory

At the weekend, Arsenal overcame Chelsea to win their 14th FA Cup in their history. Here are five things we learned from the 2-1 victory.

Firstly, I will apologise for not having any post-match coverage of Arsenal’s 14th FA Cup triumph on the site immediately after the best and biggest day of the season. It was not my intention for this to happen and was certainly not my decision, either.

For now, discussions are being held to solve the behind-the-scenes issues. In the meantime, we will continue to write for Pain in the Arsenal.

To restart this process, I thought it would be nice to publish my match thoughts from Saturday’s historic FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea. I posted these on social media in place of on the website, but I feel they are still relevant a few days later.

So, here are five things we learned from Arsenal’s triumphant weekend.

5. Nicolas Pepe comes up big

It has been a tough first season for Nicolas Pepe at Arsenal. A £72 million price tag, a limited impact on the team, especially in the Premier League, and inconsistent form throughout, the Ivorian faced criticism as he struggled to step up to the mark. On this occasion, though, Pepe produced his best.

Playing on the right side of the front three, he was a consistent threat. A direct dribbler, with pace on the counter-attack, and quality in the final third, he won fouls, progressed Arsenal up the pitch with excellent ball carries, scored a lovely goal that was called off for a marginal offside, and provided the assist for Aubameyang’s second goal.

It wasn’t quite the match-winning performance that Arsenal will demand from Pepe consistently next season, but this was a key player coming up big when it mattered most, which is an encouraging sign after a turbulent season.

4. Granit Xhaka’s limitations on full display

From the first minutes in which Mason Mount picked his pocket as he failed to turn into space, panicking under pressure in the process, Granit Xhaka’s limitations were on full display throughout, particularly in the first half.

His most egregious moment was Chelsea’s opening goal. He first allowed Christian Pulisic to slide in behind the midfield. Then, he did not track the American into the penalty area, leaving space for the Chelsea striker to have an easy finish as he slid past Kieran Tierney. His lack of urgency, attentiveness, and mobility was painful.

Overall, his defensive awareness was poor. He was easily pressed, consistently playing poor passes to Rob Holding who then subsequently lost the ball, and he rarely progressed play like his midfield partner, Dani Ceballos.

Xhaka has been integral to Arsenal’s midfield under Mikel Arteta, and he forecasts to be the same next season. But his limitations are clear to see and they will consistently undermine his impact on the pitch. Even on an excellent day, Xhaka’s vulnerabilities are unavoidable.

3. Mikel Arteta has brought a winning feeling

The opening ten minutes was a horror-show for Arsenal.

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Poor passes, lackadaisical defending, a sloppy opening goal to concede, and an entire lack of energy and intensity. It looked like it would be a long 90 minutes as Chelsea started very much on the front foot.

But, as this team has increasingly shown under Mikel Arteta, they dug deep. They were resilient and gritty as they weathered the early storm. And then, as they settled into the match, got their foot on the ball, and their confidence grew, that desire to win started to shine through. By full-time, it had inspired an excellent performance.

This stems from Arteta. He created a culture at the club that demands the best from everyone involved. They are committed to the project and to one another. The players work hard out of possession, they run the hard yards, they cover ground and make up for other’s mistakes. They are a team full of spirit and spunk. Arteta has instilled a winning feeling, and it was the difference here.

2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a sensational goalscorer

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored plenty of important goals in his Arsenal career. None may be more significant than his 69th and 70th.

Aubameyang, of course, is renowned for such prolific brilliance. It is simply what he does. His first may have been a penalty, but it was sensationally slotted into the bottom corner. He also won the penalty with his trademark outside-to-inside run from the left flank, burning Cesar Azpilicueta for pace as he collected a long ball over the top.

His second was truly beautiful. Receiving the ball in the penalty area, he shaped to bend a finish into the far corner, then chopped the ball back onto his left foot to swerve past the lead-footed Kurt Zouma, and dinked a delightful chip over the onrushing Willy Caballero.

Aubameyang has done this throughout his Arsenal career. He scored twice in the semi-final win over Manchester City. He has scored 22 Premier League goals in his last two campaigns. He is utterly prolific. Let’s hope, then, that this is not the last time he nestles the back of the net for the Gunners.

1. The significance of winning

Arsenal have now won the FA Cup more times than any other team in the competition. This is their 14th victory. They have won the FA Cup five times since 2014. That equates to more times than Spurs have ever won the competition. They last lost a final in 2001 and have since lifted the trophy seven times. This time, however, is as significant as any.

It secures European football, which is vital for Mikel Arteta’s looming rebuild. It helps put a bow on their worst season in 25 years. It also kickstarts the Arteta reign with an immediate trophy. That is invaluable to a young manager who is attempting to establish a winning culture.

It will allow Arsenal to spend a little more lavishly in the transfer market, may convince a few more players to stay, including one Aubameyang, and now gives Arteta clout as he looks to convince the board to back him and his future plans.

This has been a tremendous day for Arsenal and their future. I guess she wore a yellow ribbon after all.