It's all Arsenal as they patiently hold on to the ball deep inside the Chelsea half of the pitch. With mere seconds left to go, surely the FA Cup is going to them once again?
90' +3
Mohamed Elneny enters the game and replaces A. Sánchez.
Arsenal have made a late substitution, with Sanchez, who has been one of their best players today, making way for Mohamed Elneny.
90' +2
Another excellent chance! This time it's Ozil who's set up in front of goal after a free-kick is taken quickly, but he seems to be taken by surprise by the pass up to him a knocks the ball out of play before he can shoot.
90' +1
Huge opportunity for Arsenal! This time it's Ramsey who is presented with a great chance to wrap up the victory for his side, but Azpilicueta dives in front of the Welshman to deflect his shot away from goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
Fabregas muscles his way along the edge of the Arsenal penalty area as he desperately tries to find a way through goal. He's able to set up Willian, who then chips a cross over to Luiz, but Ospina is there to collect the ball before it can reach the defender.
88'
M. Batshuayi enters the game and replaces Diego Costa.
Chelsea have made their third and final alteration, with Michy Batshuayi coming on to replace Costa.
87'
Ozil hits the post! The German is presented with an excellent opportunity to wrap up the win for Arsenal after nonchalantly skipping past Azpilicueta, but he can only fire a strike off the woodwork after getting the better of Courtois.
86'
What a chance for Costa! Another lofted pass into the penalty area finds Costa and sets up the striker to shoot, but his thumping low effort from close range is pushed away by a great save by Ospina.
85'
Bellerin goes inches away from making it 3-1! He skips past Luiz with a wonderful flick and darts into the penalty area before shooting. His low strike beats the outstretched arm of Courtois and rolls towards the far post, but it bounces the wrong side of the woodwork.
Minute
Description
83'
F. Coquelin gets yellow.
Coquelin's first involvement in the game sees him fly into a challenge and earn himself a booking after only being on the pitch for around 20 seconds.
82'
F. Coquelin enters the game and replaces A. Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Big opportunity for Luiz! The free-kick is chipped towards the near post and finds Luiz in a pocket of space, but he can't guide his header on goal and sends it out for a goal-kick.
Francis Coquelin has come on to replace Oxlade-Chamberlain for the final seven minutes of the game.
81'
G. Xhaka gets yellow.
Xhaka clumsily drags back William as the Brazilian tries to get the better of him deep down the right wing, resulting in a yellow card for the Switzerland international and a free-kick for Chelsea in an incredibly dangerous position.
79'
A. Ramsey has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by O. Giroud.
That was wonderful play by Giroud, who did really well to break forward before holding off his marker. Chelsea's fans were still celebrating Costa's goal when Ramsey found the back of the net to silence them all.
GOAL! Arsenal are back in front once again! Giroud immediately gets involved in the thick of the action as he darts into the left-hand side of the box. He then cuts inside and chips a cross over to Ramsey, who runs on to the ball and buries it into the back of the net.
78'
O. Giroud enters the game and replaces D. Welbeck.
Arsenal have made an alteration up front, with Welbeck making way for Olivier Giroud.
76'
Diego Costa has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by Willian.
Willian's chip into the penalty area was brilliantly hit, but Holding got a bit too tight to the Spanish striker before Ospina was beaten far too easily at the near post. He should have done much better.
GOAL! Chelsea have finally found the back of the net! They move the ball around nicely as they cause plenty of problems for the Arsenal back line. Willian then chips a lovely cross into the box and towards Costa, who chests the ball down, spins and fires a deflected shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
75'
Hazard twists and turns over on the right wing before winning Chelsea a corner. It's fired into the heart of the penalty area and finds the towering figure of Cahill, but he can't keep his headed effort down and sends it sailing high over the top of the crossbar.
73'
Bellerin slips a clever pass into the right-hand side of the Chelsea penalty area and picks out Ozil in a promising position. The German meets the ball well and tries to spin round Alonso, but his final touch is slightly too heavy and he's easily dispossessed.
72'
Willian enters the game and replaces Pedro.
Chelsea have made another attacking alteration, with Willian coming on to replace Pedro.
71'
Two chances for Arsenal to double their lead! First a deflected cross bounces back to Sanchez, whose first-time shot is deflected away from goal. They push back once again and work the ball over to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who can't curl a strike in from the left-hand side of the box.
70'
Arsenal move the ball around nicely as they comfortably hold on to possession. With 20 minutes left to play, they're now looking to hold on to the ball as much as possible as they cause problems for an under pressure Chelsea side.
68'
V. Moses gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD! Moses have been given his marching orders! The wing-back cuts into the Arsenal penalty area and takes on Oxlade-Chamberlain before going down and screaming for a penalty. There was no contact whatsoever, however, and the referee quickly awards a free-kick to Arsenal before showing the Chelsea man a second yellow card.
66'
A chipped cross into the penalty area from Moses is cut out by Holding, who can only nod the ball down to Fabregas. The Spaniard quickly shoots, but he can't hit it well enough and sends his strike comfortably wide of the Arsenal goal.
65'
Huge chance for Bellerin! Welbeck cuts inside from the left wing after playing a lovely one-two with Ramsey. His pass across the edge of the penalty area fails to find its intended target but reaches Bellerin, who unleashes a low shot that's well saved by Courtois.
63'
A clever pass from Ozil sets up Bellerin deep down the right flank. The Spaniard controls the ball well and then swings a cross into the penalty area, but it's sent too near to Courtois and is easily collected by the goalkeeper.
62'
Chelsea have made their first substitution of the game, with Matic making way for Cesc Fabregas in a change in the middle.
61'
Cesc Fàbregas enters the game and replaces N. Matić.
60'
A low cross from Ramsey is deflected out of play for a corner over on the right wing. It's sent short to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who then fires a cross into the box, but it fails to pick out a team-mate and is cleared away at the near post.
59'
N. Kanté gets yellow.
The referee's yellow card is out once again, and this time it's Kante who's booked for hauling down Welbeck.
58'
Chance for Pedro! The Spaniard is left in a pocket of space just outside of the penalty area and takes a quick touch before shooting, but there's slightly too much curl behind his strike and it swerves a few yards wide of the near post.
57'
V. Moses gets yellow.
Welbeck skips down the left flank before being clattered into by Moses, who becomes the latest player to be booked.
56'
Chelsea have certainly started the second half much better than the first. Azpilicueta is able to whip a cross into the penalty area and towards Costa, but it misses the striker before being dealt with by Holding.
55'
Huge chance for Arsenal to make it 2-0! After dealing with the resulting corner, Arsenal counter quickly. Bellerin bursts down the right wing on a lovely run before swinging a cross into the penalty area, but it's deflected off a blue shirt and into the hands of Courtois.
54'
Hazard's dinked cross into the heart of the penalty area causes a few problems for the Arsenal defence, but Mertesacker is just about able to get a head on the ball to send it over the crossbar.
53'
R. Holding gets yellow.
Holding tangles with Costa as the two players battle for the ball deep down the left wing, and Chelsea are awarded a free-kick just outside of the box before the defender is shown a yellow card.
52'
A cut-back pass from Ramsey rolls over to Sanchez and finds the midfielder just outside of the Chelsea box. He quickly lifts the ball over the top of the defence and towards Welbeck, but Luiz sticks out a foot to stop the striker from reaching the pass.
51'
Big opportunity for Moses! Costa holds up the ball well on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area as he out-muscles Mertesacker. He then spins and sets up Moses, who blasts a low strike towards goal that Ospina does well to parry away with a diving stop.
50'
Great defending by Mertesacker! Hazard sprints down the right wing before trying to tee up Costa with a low cross towards the near post. The striker is able to make contact with the ball but, under pressure from Mertesacker, he can only poke the ball out for a goal-kick.
49'
Chance for Kante! Pedro continues causing problems for the Arsenal back line just outside of the box. He beats his man and spins before setting up Kante, who unleashes a thumping strike that deflects off Xhaka and into the hands of Ospina.
48'
Chelsea continue enjoying a good start to the second half before Pedro is finally set up with a chance to shoot, but, once again, Arsenal do well to defend the danger thanks to an outstretched leg from Mertesacker in front of goal.
47'
Moses does well to get the better of Oxlade-Chamberlain deep down the right flank before managing to fire a low cross into the penalty area, but it's sent slightly behind Pedro and is easily cut out by Ramsey.
46'
We're underway once again!
45' +2
Pedro is cynically pushed from behind by Monreal, and Chelsea are awarded a free-kick just a couple of yards outside of the box. Alonso steps up and shoots, but his curled strike is far too powerful and fails to test Ospina.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
44'
Costa is battles his way into the Arsenal penalty area as he charges towards goal. He barges Hector Bellerin out of the way, spins and tries to find a team-mate, but Holding is just about able to cut out the danger on the edge of the box.
43'
Ramsey is left in space as he sprints towards the Chelsea box. He then sets up Sanchez to his left and allows the Chilean to curl a cross into the penalty area, but it fails to find Ozil and is headed away by Alonso.
41'
Oxlade-Chamberlain dives into Moses and brings the wing-back crashing to the ground, and Chelsea are presented with another free-kick in a promising position 30 yards away from goal. It's put in by Hazard but the flag is quickly raised for a push on Mertesacker by Costa.
39'
Thumping strike by Pedro! Hazard, who has struggled to get on the ball much this afternoon, weaves his way towards the penalty area before teeing up Pedro, who spins and unleashes a rocket of a shot that clears the top of the crossbar.
37'
The corner initially fails to result in a chance on goal, but Arsenal push forward once again and win a free-kick deep down the left wing after Xhaka is bundled over by Azpilicueta. The cross is just about dealt with at the near post, however, and Chelsea manage to hold on.
36'
Sanchez darts through Chelsea's disjointed back line and latches on to a great pass forward. He twists and turns near to the byline but loses his footing just as he's about to shoot, meaning he has to settle for a corner.
34'
Costa is bundled over 30 yards away from goal, and now Chelsea are presented with an opportunity to curl a cross into the box. Pedro's ball in is poorly hit, though, and it sails straight into the hands of Ospina.
32'
Another corner for Arsenal is swung into a dangerous position in the middle of the Chelsea box, but this time it's easily collected by Courtois under pressure from a group of red and white shirts.
31'
Welbeck tangles with Azpilicueta as the two players battle for the ball over on the left flank, resulting in a free-kick for Arsenal in a promising position. Sanchez steps up and curls a deep cross over to the far post, where it's headed away by Matic. The Serbian can only find Granit Xhaka, however, and the midfielder's first-time strike is well saved by Courtois.
29'
Off the line once again! The resulting set-piece is sent short and worked to Alonso, who is quickly dispossessed and allows Arsenal to counter quickly. They do so brilliantly and Welbeck is set up to shoot at the near post, but his close-range strike deflects off Courtois before being scooped away by Cahill at the last possible moment.
28'
Huge chance for Costa! A lofted pass is fired over the top of the Arsenal back line and into the box. The ball should be dealt with by Holding but the defender is slow in reacting to the danger, allowing Costa to unleash a bullet strike that David Ospina pushes behind for a corner.
27'
Azpilicueta is left in a pocket of space deep down the right flank, allowing him to swing a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Alonso rises high and does well to nod the ball over to Costa, who can't get the better of Mertesacker and loses out to the big German in front of goal.
25'
A poor pass from Monreal can only find a blue shirt and allows Chelsea to push forward on a quick counter-attack. Costa's first touch is poor one, however, and he's unable to control the ball before it's booted away by Mertesacker once again.
23'
Great block by Mertesacker! Chelsea string together their best series of passes just outside of the box before Nemanja Matic tees up Costa, but, just as the striker is about to shoot, Mertesacker dives in his way to deny him a chance on goal.
21'
Kante and Victor Moses link up well deep down the right wing before the Frenchman tries to swing a cross into the Arsenal penalty area, but he caught do so quickly enough and is closed down by Sanchez, who does well to get back and help out defensively.
19'
Welbeck hits the post! Ozil's cross from the corner is a great one and finds the head of Welbeck, who rises high above his marker before beating Courtois with a wonderful headed effort. It can only hit the woodwork, however, before Ramsey knocks his close-range follow-up behind with his chest.
18'
Arsenal string together a few lovely passes before a clever pass is slipped into the path of Welbeck inside the penalty area. He looks set to test Courtois with a first-time shot, but Marcos Alonso is there to poke the ball out for a corner with a sliding interception.
16'
Off the line by Gary Cahill! Ozil is set up by Sanchez and goes one-on-one with Courtois over on the right-hand side of the penalty area. He chips a deft shot over the goalkeeper and towards goal, but Cahill is there to cut out the danger at the vital moment.
15'
Vital block by three Arsenal defenders! Hazard is presented with his first chance to break into the opposition's box. He darts forward before taking on Per Mertesacker, who does well to dispossess the Belgian. The ball then bounces over to Costa, who unleashes a thumping strike that's brilliantly smothered by a group of Arsenal players.
14'
Sanchez goes close! Oxlade-Chamberlain chips a lovely dinked pass down the left wing and into the path of Danny Welbeck, who holds off David Luiz before spinning and finding Sanchez. The Chilean takes a quick touch and then unleashes a thumping 25-yard shot, but it flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
13'
It's all Arsenal, who have started the game brilliantly. This time it's Ozil who cuts inside from the right flank before trying to tee up Ramsey on the edge of the penalty area, but his pass is slightly overhit and can't reach the Welshman.
11'
Arsenal continue putting pressure on the Chelsea back line as they look for a second goal. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is initially dispossessed by N'Golo Kante before winning the ball back from the Frenchman, but he can't pick out a team-mate and loses out to Eden Hazard.
9'
A. Ramsey gets yellow.
Pedro weaves his way through the middle of the pitch on a lovely run. He darts into the Arsenal half of the pitch before taking on Ramsey, who cynically fouls the Spaniard before he's also clattered into by Nacho Monreal, resulting in the first yellow card of the game.
7'
It's kicking off! Chelsea immediately burst forward from the restart before Diego Costa tangles with Rob Holding, resulting in a fracas between the two players. The referee rewards a free-kick that's eventually swung into the box, where Costa's headed effort loops over the top of the crossbar.
5'
The Chelsea players are absolutely fuming at the referee's decision. The linesman initially flagged offside after it looked as if Aaron Ramsey had made contact with the ball in an offside position, but, after talking to the referee, the decision was overturned and the goal was given.
4'
A. Sánchez has scored a goal for Arsenal!
GOAL! Big call by the referee! Mesut Ozil's cross into the penalty area is easily cut out by Thibaut Courtois, whose quick throw is a poor one. Arsenal push back again before a chipped pass forward from Sanchez isn't dealt with by Kante, allowing the Chilean to charge into the box before slotting a lovely low strike under the body of Courtois.
3'
Arsenal move the ball around patiently as they enjoy a decent start to the game. They knock it from side to side before Alexis Sanchez takes on Cesar Azpilicueta deep down the right wing, where the Spaniard is forced into knocking the ball out for an early corner.
1'
We're off! Chelsea get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
Arsenal are all that stand in the way of what would be a truly historic double for Antonio Conte. The Italian has enjoyed a magnificent debut season in England, guiding his Chelsea side to the Premier League title with a record 30 victories. Their 93-point tally represents the second highest amount ever accumulated in a single campaign, with only Tottenham Hotspur looking as if they ever had the slightest of chances of catching the dazzling Blues.
It’s fitting that their final clash of the season comes against the team that forced them into so radically altering their tactical outlook. A 3-0 humbling in September resulted in Conte’s decision to switch to a back three, and it would prove to be a masterstroke. Chelsea went on to win their next 13 consecutive league games, and since that defeat at the Emirates eight months ago, they’ve lost just three times in 32 Premier League outings.
A run comprising of six victories in a row - including a comfortable thrashing of Sunderland on the final day of the season - has set up Chelsea perfectly for today’s big occasion, but Arsenal have also impressed in recent weeks after suffering a somewhat topsy-turvy season. A difficult few months at the start of the year has turned into a relatively decent period for the Gunners, who finished the league campaign with five consecutive wins after they too decided to start operating with a three-man defence.
It was too little, too late, however, and a fifth-place finish means they have failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years. In what could prove to be Arsene Wenger’s final game in charge of Arsenal, a third FA Cup triumph in four years would represent a glimmer of positivity in what has been an otherwise underwhelming season.
Arsenal have been hit with a plethora of defensive issues in recent days, leaving them light at the back and in danger of being overrun by Chelsea’s potent front line. Laurent Koscielny is suspended after receiving a needless red card against Everton on the weekend, whilst Gabriel picked up an injury in the same game. In comes Per Mertesacker, who hasn’t started a game in over a year.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Chelsea substitutes: Begovic, Ake, Zouma, Terry, Fabregas, Willian, Bastshuayi.
Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Pedro, Costa, Hazard.
Arsenal substitutes: Cech, Coquelin, Elneny, Walcott, Iwobi, Perez, Giroud.
Arsenal XI (3-4-3): Ospina; Holding, Mertesacker, Monreal; Bellerin, Ramsey, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez, Welbeck, Ozil.
Arsene Wenger has decided to make three changes to the Arsenal side that started the 3-1 win at home to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season, with David Ospina, Per Mertesacker and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming into the starting line-up to replace Petr Cech, Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny.
Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has also made three alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Willian making way for Gary Cahill, Nemanja Matic and Pedro.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off. The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric, with both sets of fans in fine voice.
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-0 CHELSEA
So far, so good for Arsenal, who started brightly and managed to take an early lead through a controversial Sanchez opener. The Chilean seemed to handle the ball in the build-up, resulting in an angry response from the Chelsea players. They continued to impress from then onwards, with their opponents looking surprisingly lethargic and off the pace.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 CHELSEA
The referee's whistle is blown for the final time, and Arsenal have won the FA Cup for a third time in four seasons! It's the seventh cup victory for Arsene Wenger, a new record that cements his place as one of the finest managers in Premier League history. It's a fully deserved achievement as well, as the Gunners were comfortably on top from start to finish.
It was strange to see Chelsea look so lethargic all afternoon long. They could never quite get started, and after they fell behind so early on they looked incredibly rattled. It made their task even harder, and, despite showing more positive signs in the second half, they were really hurt by Moses' red card.
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