The curtain closer for the English game ended in style for Arsenal and misery for Aston Villa. It was a game where it seemed too one-sided to be a final, but it was. From the kick off Arsenal dominated. Till the final whistle where Arsenal lifted the FA Cup for the second year running.
Villa struggled to cope with Arsenal’s slick composure from the word go. Theo Walcott, starting in place of Oliver Giroud threatening after only the first minute. For Villa, it was a sign of things to come. Walcott was denied brilliantly by Shay Given; minutes later Walcott’s effort was blocked off the line by Richardson, who was arguably Villa’s best player (if they had one) Despite Arsenal’s first half dominance it took them until the 40th minute to break the deadlock. Alexis Sanchez headed down Nacho Monreal’s cross down, bouncing perfectly into the path of Walcott who showed great composure and technique to hammer left-footed into the net. Vindicating his years of screaming to be the central striker. The first half saw Arsenal gather around 70% of the possession. Villa did not muster a shot. It was a half of frustration for the Villans who failed to turn up. Arsenal, meanwhile had their tails up.
The Villa faithful were expecting more in the second half, but it got even worse for the Midlands contingent. After fifty minutes, Alexis Sanchez scored a goal that oozed quality. Sanchez showed great determination to chase down the ball turning into space to annul the prying Villa players. Then showing great awareness to drift, effortlessly past two defenders. Then a finish to match the tenacity. Lashing a 25-yard shot past Shay Given and into the net, kissing the crossbar on the way in, giving the keeper no chance. A goal that rivalled Ryan Gigg’s truly great FA Cup goal.
Benteke was non-existent like every other man on the pitch for Villa. A shadow of the beast fans had been used to in recent months. Jack Grealish seemed to watch the occasion flash past him. Just every player was not ready for what Arsenal had.
A third goal soon came to wrap the game up for Arsenal and give them back to back FA Cup triumphs. Per Metersacker losing the non-existent Benteke to nod in a header past Given from a simple floated in corner. By this time, it was curtains and party time for Arsenal.
Moss was refereeing well until after the third goal, where he made a mess of two situations. Firstly, Agbonlahor was pulled down for which looked like a definite penalty. Then, minutes later Grealish was hacked down. By this stage though the game was over. Maybe two penalties could have changed the game though?
In injury time, Arsenal put the cherry on the cake. Oliver Giroud tapping in to make it 4-0 to Arsenal. Aston Villa never looked in the game and already on holiday. Arsenal benefitted though, sweeping Villa aside effortlessly. A deserved triumph for Arsene Wenger. A day to forget for Tim Sherwood and Aston Villa. Arsenal showed class, exuberance, and composure. Villa were lacklustre and not at the races. For Villa though, Premier League football will keep them happy after the season they have endured.
