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Aubameyang double guides Arsenal to FA Cup title

August 02, 2020 00:34 IST

Arsenal

IMAGE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal lifts the FA Cup Trophy with his team mates after their victory in the FA Cup Final match against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Photograph: Adam Davy/Pool via Getty Images

Arsenal skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to help his side secure a 2-1 win over 10-man Chelsea in the FA Cup final, on Saturday, for a record-extending 14th crown in the competition - and a spot in next season’s Europa League.

 

Arsenal

IMAGE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with his team after scoring his sides second goal. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Victory at an empty Wembley Stadium earned Mikel Arteta his first trophy as Arsenal manager, after he left his role as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City to replace Unai Emery in December.

With the contest locked at 1-1, Gunners striker Aubameyang danced past the opposition defenders before finishing with his left foot in the 67th minute to ensure that Arsenal salvage European action from a difficult domestic season after finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Arsenal

IMAGE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his sides first goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Chelsea had struck in the fifth minute when Christian Pulisic collected Olivier Giroud’s fine flick-on inside the penalty area and tucked the ball past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from close range.

Arsenal drew level from the penalty spot through Aubameyang in the 28th minute after Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was booked for bringing down the Gabonese moments earlier.

Chelsea, who were forced to take off Azpilicueta and Pulisic due to serious-looking injuries, were reduced to 10 men after going 2-1 down when Mateo Kovacic collected his second yellow card of the game for a very soft foul on Granit Xhaka.

Source: REUTERS
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