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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 MAY 2017 65 FOOTBALL Sport Double dream over as Gunners claim FA Cup glory ARSENAL salvaged some silver- ware from a traumatic season as they beat Premier League champion Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday thanks to Aaron Ramsey's late winner. Chelsea had been hot favourites to complete a remarkable debut season for manager Antonio Conte but were not at their clinical best as Arsenal, who finished fifth in the league, lifted the Cup for the third time in four seasons. They have now won it a record 13 times while manager Arsene Wenger, who is yet to say whether he will be extending his 21-year reign, is now the most successful manager in the history of the competition with seven wins. Chelsea made a woeful start and were behind after four minutes thanks to Alexis Sanchez's con- troversial opener but when Diego Costa levelled in the 76th minute it seemed they would complete a memorable season. Conte's side had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Vic- tor Moses was dismissed following a second yellow card for diving. Ramsey's header in the 79th min- ute knocked the stuffing out of Conte's side and Arsenal could even have extended their lead in the clos- ing stages as Chelsea finally buckled. Wenger, who failed to finish in the top four for the first time since tak- ing charge in 1996, celebrated with his players in front of the massed red ranks of Arsenal fans at the end. "We had an outstanding perfor- mance from the first minute on- wards," the 67-year-old Wenger said. "This team has suffered. They've united and responded. I said last week this team will be in the cham- pionship with one or two good buys. They showed strength and unity and played spectacular football to- day." Underdogs Arsenal enjoyed a dream start although there was huge debate about whether Sanchez's ef- fort should have stood. When his initial attempt to chip the ball into Chelsea's area was blocked, he appeared to knock the rebound forward with his arms be- fore running through and shooting past Thibaut Courtois despite Ram- sey standing in an offside position. Confusion reigned as the goal was initially disallowed but after consulting with his assistant Gary Bewsick who had raised his flag, referee Anthony Taylor awarded the goal. Chelsea never properly recovered from that body blow and Arsenal could have been out of sight before halftime. Mesut Ozil had a shot back-heeled off the line by Gary Cahill while Chelsea had an amazing escape when Danny Welbeck's header thumped against the post and Ram- sey bundled the ball back against the same upright. Despite being all at sea Chelsea did threaten with Costa denied by a perfectly-timed tackle by Per Mertesacker who was making his first start for Arsenal for 13 months. Arsenal keeper David Ospina also bravely denied Costa, receiving a blow to the head for his troubles. Chelsea started the second half with more tempo and Footballer of the Year N'Golo Kante warmed Ospina's fingers with a deflected drive from distance before Moses brought a fine save from Ospina af- ter Costa played him in. Chelsea were required to play the last 20 minutes a man down after referee Taylor's second big call of the day, deciding that Moses had thrown himself to the floor under no obvious contact from Alex Ox- lade-Chamberlain. Just when it seemed their double hopes were slipping away, Costa equalised when his weakly-hit shot brushed off the excellent Merte- sacker and past the diving Ospina. But Arsenal had the last laugh when Chelsea's defence went AWOL again, allowing Ramsey the freedom of the box to head substi- tute Olivier Giroud's astute cut- back past Courtois.