Arsenal is a record title holder in FA Cup today with fourteen titles in hand. Such surely signifies The Gunners’ focus in this tournament which has become their primary target throughout the years instead of taking it the secondary one. Their home ground, the 60,704-seat Emirates stadium has been contesting FA Cup fixtures annually with lively atmosphere all around the stand, which is incomparable to any venues in the capital.
They have had a number of star players who managed to lift the trophies in The Gunners shirt and contribute well in their campaign such as Jack Lambert, Alex James, Reg Lewis, Pat Rice, George Graham, David O’Leary, Graham Rix, Ian Wright, Paul Merson, David Seaman, Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera, Robin Van Persie, Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Pierre Aubameyang. Meanwhile, the noteworthy managers who have won the FA Cup titles for them are Herbert Chapman, George Allison, Tom Whittaker, Bertie Mee, George Graham, Mikel Arteta and last but not least Arsene Wenger with seven trophies alone.
Top Achievements
The Gunners have reached the finals twenty one times with fourteen of them ended in a triumph. Their first one was in 1930. The revolutionary man Herbert Chapman was the key man in their first ever title. He led the team win 2-0 over Huddersfield. Six years later, they thumped Sheffield United 1-0. After a long and tiring wait for more than thirty five years, Arsenal was back on the throne after edging out Liverpool 2-1 in 1971 final. The story went on to the 1979 edition when they crushed Manchester United 3-2. Their next title was in 1993 when their former player George Graham guided them to defeat Sheffield Wednesday on a replay. It was the arrival of the Frenchmen Arsene Wenger triggering their domination in the tournament. He brought his team to clinch the title seven times during his reign, the 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015 and 2017.
However, it does not mean that Wenger never failed in the summit. He did it once in 2000/01 while taking on Liverpool which had been fairly impressive in that season. That was the last time they did not succeed in the final. Previously, The Gunners were beaten on six occasions, in 1927 by Cardiff City, in 1932 and 1952 by Newcastle United, in 1972 by Leeds United, in 1978 by Ipswich Town and in 1980 by West Ham.
Iconic Moments
Arsenal’s top and memorable moments are scattered in various decades. The fist iconic moment was their first ever trophy after beating Huddersfield 1-0. The next memorable one was in 1993 final when Ian Wright and Co needed to do a replay against Sheffield Wednesday. It was the last replay in the FA Cup final. They won 2-1 over The Owls through Ian Wright’s and Andy Linighan’s goal. Other notable moment took place in 1970/71 season when they won a double title, FA Cup and Premier League. Arsenal’s success in 1971 marked the first ever team winning double in English football. Another golden moment was 2014 final. It was their first title for Wenger who was on the verge of being sacked due to the title drought for nine years. That trophy saved the Professor’s reputation and future in Emirates.
Perhaps the most disappointing moment in their FA Cup campaign was in 1978 final. Arsenal was the favourite and only met Ipswich Town. Yet, the final result was shocking as they were defeated 0-1 by the young Bobby Robson’s side which also managed to clinch UEFA Cup three years later.
