On this Day – 16th May
Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-0 on this day to win the FA Cup. In doing so, they completed the League and Cup Double for the second time in their history.
It was the perfect end to Arsene Wenger’s first full season in charge at Highbury. The Frenchman had revitalised the squad and brought in his own flair and attacking style to the English game.
Wenger kept the famous back four that had served Arsenal so well over the years and slowly started to make changes to the midfield and strike force.
Marc overmars had signed the previous summer to work wonders on the left wing. He replaced fans-favourite Paul Merson, who Wenger decided to sell on to Middlesbrough, much to my disdain!
As well as Overmars, Wenger brought in the French pairing of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit to orchestrate the midfield.
Wenger also brought in Nicolas Anelka, a 19 year old striker another Frenchman to replace record goalscorer Ian Wright.
Wright was approaching his 35th birthday and time was not on his side. Anelka fitted right in to Wenger’s style of play and started the Cup Final.
Marc Overmars opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Emmanuel Petit had the ball on the halfway line, looked up and hit a high ball over the Newcastle defence.
Overmars used his blistering pace to get to the ball, shrug off Newcastle defender Alessandro Pistone and hit the ball under the on-rushing Shay Given.
Nicolas Anelka sealed the win on the 69th minute, latching on to a pass from Ray Parlour and beating the Newcastle offside-trap.
He hit a shot across Shay Given and into the far corner of the net, showing great composure to score a great goal.
Arsenal would win a further two League titles and six FA Cups in the 22 years with Wenger at the helm.
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