Arsene Wenger and Arsenal somehow managed to end a tumultuous season on a high by defeating Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup final. Alexis Sanchez gave them the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, before 10-men Chelsea equalised through Diego Costa. However, shortly afterwards Aaron Ramsey burst into the box and nodded past Thibaut Courtois to give the Gunners the upset win.
Sanchez scored the opening goal at Wembley, although the ball struck the Chilean’s arm in the build up to the chance. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men after Victor Moses was sent off for diving but managed to equalise through Diego Costa. Aaron Ramsey struck just three minutes later to secure the 2-1 win for the Arsene Wenger’s side, meaning that the Gunners are now the most successful team in the FA Cup. For Sanchez, the victory at Wembley could be his last appearance in an Arsenal shirt following reports linking him with moves to Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Chelsea.
The 28-year-old will have only a year remaining on his current contract and while Wenger has remained adamant that his top goal scorer will not be sold, Arsenal now face the prospect of losing him for free next summer if they decide to keep him at the club. In an interview with BBC Sport after the match, Sanchez, who only speaks minimal English, appeared to misunderstand a reporter’s question when asked if he felt his early goal meant that it would be a good day for Arsenal. ‘I don’t know my friend, finished now, so happy for the win and the FA Cup, happy for the players, now I don’t know,’ replied Sanchez. ‘My agent speaking after… I don’t know. ‘Now, it’s the Confederations [Cup], now it’s focusing on the national team.’
Chelsea were left seething at the offside rule on Saturday night as Thibaut Courtois claimed Anthony Taylor called Arsenal’s opening goal wrongly. Alexis Sanchez struck early but only after Aaron Ramsey appeared to have interfered with play while standing in an offside position just 10 yards out. Courtois was adamant Ramsey scrambled his decision-making. Taylor’s linesman had initially flagged the midfielder offside before reversing the decision.
