Down 2-0 after 8 minutes, Arsenal fans were hard pressed to envision a scenario where their heavily favored team would end a 9-year title drought and hoist the FA Cup trophy at the end of the day. But the Gunners regained the form that had allowed them to dominate Hull City earlier in the season and clawed their way back into the match, earning a trip to extra time and beating Hull City 3-2 in an exciting FA Cup final in Wembley Stadium.
The first ten minutes were a disaster for the Gunners. The lethargic start allowed Hull to score two goals four minutes apart. The first coming off a corner that was redirected by James Chester past Lukasz Fabianski.
The second was messy as well, David Meyler’s header was saved by Fabianski, but Curtis Davies was in the right spot at the right time and buried the rebound.
As the orange side of Wembley erupted, it looked as if Gunner fans everywhere had seen a ghost. But just 9 minutes later, Santi Cazorla restored their faith. After being fouled, the Liliputian Spaniard delivered an absolute strike from 25 yards out that whizzed passed Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor into the upper corner.
The rest of the half was largely controlled by an energized Arsenal squad who were desperate for the equalizer. The Gunners held 65% of the possession and attacked the box ferociously. After half, the physicality increased, but Aresenal continued to dominate. Olivier Giroud was fouled once and Cazorla twice in the box but received no calls from English referee Lee Probert. Undaunted, Arsenal continued their push forward after the half and in the 71st minute found their equalizer. Similar to Hull’s first goal, Laurent Koscielny cashed in off of a rebound to bring things level.
Arsenal was in full control. Pushing forward, rarely giving up possession. Then in the 79th minute Kieran Gibbs received a gift. Right on the six, Gibbs was one on one with McGregor and blasted a shot over the crossbar, giving Hull City extra life and hope for redemption.
Redemption never came as the play in extra time wasn’t anything different. Arsenal continued their onslaught and almost found the winner in the 94th. Olivier Giroud’s header smashed off of the crossbar, only raising the tension in Wembley.
It became clear that Hull City were desperate for penalties, but Arsenal wouldn't allow it. Their nonstop attack finally broke through the Hull City defense, and Olivier Giroud did it with pure class. A brilliant back heel found Aaron Ramsey who buried the game winner.
Arsenal closed out the final 11 minutes in what was a thrilling FA Cup final. It will be interesting to see what Arsenal do in the transfer market this summer. Arsene Wenger seems to have his team believing in each other and in him and they must hit the market hard and translate this success to the Premier League and the Champions League. It was a long time coming for Arsenal, who hadn't won a trophy in 9 years, but maybe a once lethal team has found their footing and is back on the rise.
