Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal aim for FA Cup number 15

By Jocelyn Taub

Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta holds the winner's trophy as the team celebrates victory after the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 1, 2020. - Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta holds the winner's trophy as the team celebrates victory after the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on August 1, 2020. - Arsenal won the match 2-1. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2005 – Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United (5-4 on penalties)

Path to the 2005 FA Cup final:

  • Third-round: Arsenal 2–1 Stoke City
  • Fourth-round: Arsenal 2–0 Wolves
  • Fifth-round: Arsenal 1–1 Sheffield United
  • Fifth-round replay: Sheffield United 0–0 Arsenal (a.e.t.) Penalties: (2–4 p)
  • Sixth-round: Bolton Wanderers 0–1 Arsenal
  • Semi-final: Arsenal 3–0 Blackburn Rovers
  • Final: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United (a.e.t) Penalties: 5-4

The 2005 FA Cup was the first to have the final be decided by penalties. It featured the two dominant teams of that time period, Arsenal and Manchester United.

On paper, the Red Devils bossed the match. They outshot Wenger’s side 20-5 and had 12 corners to Arsenal’s one. Despite their dominance, United was unable to take the lead.

In the final minutes of added time, Jose Antonio Reyes took one for the team. With Ronaldo making a run into the box, Reyes intentionally fouled him. This resulted in Reyes receiving a  second yellow card and being sent off. Considering there were mere seconds remaining before the game went to penalties it may have been a match-saving foul.

United went first in the shoot-out. The Red Devils’ second penalty from Paul Scholes was saved by Jens Lehmann. The score was 4-4 when Vieira stepped to the line. He converted his shot and later lifted the trophy as the Gunners overcame the odds to win.

Both team captains, Vieira and Roy Keane left their respective teams later that year. The 2005 FA Cup final represented the end of the era when the two clubs rivaled each other for dominance during the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Continued on next page…

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