Arteta's First

An empty stadium, a full performance

The 2020 FA Cup final was played at an empty Wembley, the season having resumed behind closed doors. Chelsea took an early lead, but Arsenal grew into the game. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled from the penalty spot before half time and then struck again in the second half, his finish settling a 2-1 victory. Mikel Arteta, only months into his first job as a manager, had organised a side that defended with discipline and struck with precision. The strange silence of the stadium did nothing to diminish the achievement of beating Chelsea on the biggest domestic stage.

A trophy for a new era

The win gave Mikel Arteta his first trophy as a manager and confirmed Arsenal as the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's two goals, the second a curling finish past the goalkeeper, capped a remarkable individual final and an emotional season. For a club rebuilding after the Wenger years, the trophy offered proof that Arteta's methods could deliver. It set the tone for the project he would go on to build, and gave supporters reason to believe brighter days were coming.

Timeline

• 2020Final played behind closed doors at an empty Wembley
• 2020Aubameyang equalises from the penalty spot
• 2020Aubameyang scores again to make it 2-1
• 2020Arteta lifts his first trophy as a manager

Connected pages

• Arsenal legends