Cup Final Classics – From the Archives; Cardiff 2002

It may have been two months overdue, but its finally FA Cup final day and the end of our From the Archives, FA Cup series.

We’ve had some magical moments on our own little road to Wembley, from lower league sides causing major upsets, to the typical big boys steamrolling their way through the cup minnows – Not to mention the fair share of goals.

But now we finally reach our conclusion. There have been some classics over the years, from Wigan’s win over Manchester City in 2013, The ‘Gerrard Final’ of 2006 and even Coventry’s triumph over Spurs in 1987

But with Arsenal and Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup Final, it’s only fair we focus on these two sides. This will be the third time in 18 years these two London rivals have met in the final of the great cup competition. The first of those was back in 2002.

Arsenal vs Chelsea – May 4, 2002

 

The 2020 Final will be remembered by the fact that there will be no fans in attendance at Wembley, but in 2002 the Final wasn’t even held at Wembley – or in England for that matter. The rebuild of the National Stadium meant meant that the showpiece affair was relocated to the Millenium Stadium (Or Principality Stadium as its now known) in Cardiff.

The first of those was in 2001. It involved Arsenal but despite Freddie Ljungberg giving the Gunners the lead – and dominating throughout, the game went Liverpool’s way. Two late goals by Michael Owen broke Arsenal hearts.

Arsene Wenger’s side returned to Cardiff hoping to avoid a repeat of the year before and on course for a league and cup double. Meanwhile Chelsea were playing in their third FA Cup Final in five years. They had beaten Middlesbrough 2- 0 in 1997 and Aston Villa 1-0 in the 2000 final – the last final under the Twin Towers of Old Wembley. The Blues came into this one hoping for their first piece of silverware under Claudio Ranieri.

Cup Finals are usually known to be quite tight affairs with potential mistakes kicking in, and the first half of the 2002 final was no different. Chelsea shut down the one touch style of play with had typified Arsenal in the Wenger Years.

There were still massive moments in the first half and the West Londoners had the first of those. Patrick Vieira was dispossessed in the middle of park by Frank Lampard in the 15th minute. The now Chelsea boss had a crack at goal which forced a save out of David Seaman.

But arguably Arsenal had the best of the chances in the first 45, when a lobbed ball from Vieira found the head of Dennis Bergkamp, however, the Dutchman’s header went wide of the post.

Lastly a Sylvain Wiltord cross on the edge of the penalty area was met by the head Lauren, who had made a surging run from right-back. But his headed just crept over the crossbar meaning it was goaless going into the break.

Chelsea did have a big chance just ten minutes after the interval, an attempt from Eidur Gudjohnsen appeared to be dipping in, but Seaman got a fingertip to the shot and put it over the woodwork – it proved to be huge save from the 38 year old keeper.

With 20 minutes to go, the Gunners broke forward, Tony Adams, played the ball to Wiltord who then released Ray Parlour. Parlour was surrounded by Chelsea defenders Marcel Desailly and William Gallas, however the pair appeared to retreat towards their goal, which opened up the space for the Arsenal man. From 30 yards out, Parlour went for goal and found the top corner to give Arsenal the lead.

There was nothing Carlo Cudicini could do about it

 

It was Parlour’s second goal that season, but it was a goal that lit up the Millenium Stadium. Sky Commentator Martin Tyler hailed it as “A vintage FA Cup goal for Arsenal.”

Moments later and it could have been two. Ashley Cole, who would join Chelsea in 2006, played a one-two with Thierry Henry. This put Cole through on goal, but with the Chelsea back four getting back to recover, he played a back heel to Henry who had his curling effort kept out brilliantly by Cudicini.

With Arsenal now piling on the pressure in the final 20 minutes and looking more likely to grab a second, many of their fans would be hoping that there wouldn’t be a repeat of their loss to Liverpool the year before.

But with ten minutes to go, those doubts were put to bed. Freddie Ljungberg picked up the ball from Edu and went on a charging run. He skipped past Gallas and then a young John Terry who slipped over, and bent his shot into the top right corner of the net. Arsenal had scored two beautiful goals, which had secured them their first FA Cup success since 1998.

It was a fitting moment when Arsenal lifted their ninth FA Cup. Captain Tony Adams, who was heading for retirement after 19 years at Highbury, lifted the trophy with his successor as skipper Patrick Vieira.

But Wenger’s men couldn’t celebrate for long.

They travelled to Manchester United four days later needing a point to claim their second Premiership crown. Freddie Ljungberg, the hero in Cardiff, assisted Wiltord to give Arsenal a 1-0 win at Old Trafford which their second double under Wenger and the club’s third in their history.

It was a classic encounter back in 2002. Will we see the same again on Saturday?

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