FA Cup final preview | Features | News | Arsenal.com FA Cup final preview This week our statistician looks at Arsenal's record in FA Cup finals. Arsenal will equal the record for all-time FA Cup wins, if they can overcome Hull City at Wembley on Saturday evening. The Gunners are aiming for their 11th overall success in the competition - which would tie Manchester United's tally - when they take part in their 18th FA Cup final, also drawing level with United's record for final appearances. The Club's first piece of silverware was the FA Cup, way back in 1930 under legendary manager Herbert Chapman. Arsenal's most recent trophy was also the FA Cup, in 2005. That year Manchester United were beaten in the final's first ever penalty shoot-out, after a 0-0 draw at the Millennium Stadium in Wales. Seventeen of the last 21 FA Cup finals (81 per cent) have been won by the side higher in the league The last time Arsenal played in a Wembley FA Cup final was 16 years ago - a 2-0 win over Newcastle which was the first of Arsène Wenger's four FA Cups to date.

He is the only Arsenal boss to lift the cup more than once, and this weekend he could also become only the fourth manager in the history of the game to win the FA Cup five times, and only the second (after Sir Alex Ferguson) to do so since the start of the 20th century. The Frenchman has won four of his five finals, and Arsenal have won five of their last six overall, missing out in 2001 after a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool. The Gunners haven’t scored more than twice in any of their last eight finals, and indeed the 3-2 win over Man United in 1979 remains the only time Arsenal scored three or more. In fact goals have been at a premium throughout Arsenal's history in the FA Cup final. They have found the net just 20 times in their 18 cup final matches (including the 1993 replay against Sheffield Wednesday) and have only won four finals by more than one goal. Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three finals, and conceded an average of just 0.8 goals per game overall. They have never conceded more than twice in a final.

Since 1980, all the players who have scored against Arsenal in finals have been England internationals (Michael Owen, David Hirst, Chris Waddle and Trevor Brooking). Furthermore, Arsenal haven’t conceded the first goal in a final since that Brooking header in 1980. The full record for finals is P18, W10, D1, L7, F20, A14. Should Arsenal win on Saturday, it will be the Club's 40th piece of major silverware (13 league titles, 10 FA Cups, two League Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup, one Fairs Cup and 12 Community Shields) and the 12th under Wenger. Arsenal's FA Cup Final record Arsenal in the FA Cup Final Most successful FA Cup managers Manager KryssTal : History of Arsenal [European Finals] [Other Records and Statistics] Arsenal History Arsenal began as a works team for the Woolwich Armaments. They were founded in 1886 as Dial Square. The name soon became Woolwich Arsenal and they played their first match at Plumstead Common. They soon joined the old Second Division playing regularly against professional clubs.

The problem with South London was that it was difficult to get to; attendances were therefore low. After short spell in the First Division their lack of attendances (and consequent lack of money) meant that they had mediocre players. By 1913 they were back struggling in the Second Division. There would be three turning points in the history of the club that would transform them into one of the most famous in the world. The first turning point was the move to North London. The club chairman wanted to merge Woolwich Arsenal with Fulham but that plan fell through. So a ground was found near a theological college in Highbury not far from Gillespie Road Underground station on the Piccadilly Line . Access was good from all parts of London, and the area was residential thus supplying supporters. Tottenham Hotspur, four miles away, objected to the move but were over-ruled; the South London club maintaining that there was enough potential support for both clubs. In 1915 the move was completed and the club dropped the Woolwich from its name to become Arsenal. However, it was still an average Second Level team.

In 1919 Arsenal won election to the First Division when it was expanded to 22 clubs. This was the second turning point in Arsenal's history. Since this election was at the expense of neighbours Tottenham, this set the enmity between the two clubs that lasts to this day. The 1920s saw Arsenal as an average First Division club usually finishing in the middle of the table. The third turning point in Arsenal's history occurred when Herbert Chapman was appointed manager. He had made Huddersfield Town the dominant team in the 20s. Highbury was the platform he needed to try out his new ideas. He took Arsenal to 2nd in the First Division in 1926 and to the FA Cup Final in 1927. They lost 0 - 1 to Cardiff City (the only time that the FA Cup has gone out of England). This was still the best that Arsenal had done so far in their history. It was during the 1930s that Arsenal became a football force.

Chapman built a new stadium complete with marble halls, set up under-soil heating so that matches could be played in all weathers, set up the best medical facilities in the country to treat players, and began youth schemes to train young players. His proposals to number shirts and have floodlights were rejected by the football authorities. His innovations showed he was a man ahead of his time. Tactically, Chapman was astute enough to attack the weaknesses of other teams while playing to Arsenal's strengths. Outside of football, Chapman, had the tube station's name changed to Arsenal. Chapman made Arsenal the most successful and richest club in the country. Everybody wanted to beat them. In 1930 Arsenal won their first trophy, the FA Cup, beating Chapman's old club, Huddersfield Town, 2 - 0. In 1931, Arsenal became the first London club to win the First Division Championship. They set up a new points total which was not bettered for 30 years. In 1932, Arsenal almost became the first club this Century to win both the FA Cup and the League.

They finished 2nd in both, losing the FA Cup Final 1 - 2 to Newcastle United. In 1933, 1934, 1935 Arsenal were Champions, one of only three clubs to win three consecutive Championships. They had their upsets however: in 1933 they lost a cup game to Walsall of the old Third Division, a team that cost less than Arsenal's boots. Chapman died during this period, but he is considered to have been the first modern football manager. In 1934, England played an international game with seven Arsenal players, still a record. 1936 saw a second FA Cup win (1 - 0 against Sheffield United). During that season, Ted Drake set a record by scoring 7 goals in an away game at Aston Villa. A fourth Championship was captured in 1938 before World War II stopped competitive football for six years. In 1947, professional football resumed but the ravages of war left Arsenal weaker. They were almost relegated from the top division. They rallied in 1948 leading from start to finish to capture their fifth Championship.

Towards the end of that season, a match against second placed Manchester United attracted over 82,000 people. That remains the highest ever attendance for a league game in England. 1950 saw a third FA Cup win (2 - 0 against Liverpool). Arsenal won the Cup without leaving London. They were back at Wembley in 1952 but lost 0 - 1 to Newcastle United after an injury. This was in the days before substitutes were allowed. In 1953, a win in the final match gave Arsenal their 7th Championship, then a record. They finished equal on points to Preston North End but had scored more goals! The next 17 years were barren for Arsenal followers. The lack of trophies was made worse by the fact that Tottenham had their golden period between 1960 and 1967. During those years Tottenham became the first club this century to win the FA Cup and League in the same season (1961), retained the Cup in 1962, became the first English club to win one of the new European trophies (1963), and won the FA Cup again in 1967.

In 1961 the League Cup had started. Arsenal reached the final of this trophy (called the Micky Mouse Cup by some!) in 1968 but lost 0 - 1 to Leeds United. A year later they returned to the final and faced Third Division Swindon Town. Arsenal were hot favourites. In fact they lost 1 - 3 after extra time. A flu virus was partially blamed but this was Arsenal's lowest point in recent times. Little did they know that it was to be the beginning of a new golden age. Although they'd won nothing, Arsenal had finished high enough in the League to qualify for the one of the European competitions that had began during the late 1950s. In the end they won the European Fairs Cup by beating one of Belgium's best sides, Anderlecht, over two games. Arsenal lost 1 - 3 in Belgium but a packed Highbury saw their team win 3 - 0 to take their first trophy for 17 years. 1971 was a classic year for Arsenal.

One Monday in May, thousands were locked out of Tottenham's ground as Arsenal won 1 - 0 in the final League game of the season. This result allowed Arsenal to overhaul Leeds United and take their eighth Championship. Five days later they came from behind to beat Liverpool 2 - 1 in the FA Cup Final to become only the second club this Century to 'do the double'. A year later, Arsenal returned to Wembley but lost 0 - 1 to a Leeds United side looking for revenge. Arsenal reached the FA Cup Final in three consecutive years during the 70s, the first time a club had done so this Century. The first Final was lost 0 - 1 to Ipswich Town, the second won 3 - 2 against Manchester United, the third lost 0 - 1 to West Ham United after a gruelling four match semi-final against Liverpool. Most disappointing of all was what happened after the 1980 Final. Arsenal had also reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup, another European competition. The game was against the Spanish club, Valencia. It ended 0 - 0 after extra time and Arsenal lost on penalties. The early 80s were quiet.

In 1986 George Graham became manager of Arsenal. He turned out to be Arsenal's most successful manager. In 1987, Arsenal finally won the League Cup (by this time called the Littlewoods Cup). They beat old rivals Tottenham in the semi-final, and came from behind to take the final 2 - 1 against Liverpool. 1988 saw Arsenal squander a 2 - 1 lead to lose 3 - 2 against Luton Town. In 1989, Arsenal went to Liverpool for the final game of the season needing to win by two clear goals to be Champions. Leading by only a goal, as Liverpool began to celebrate, Arsenal scored a last minute goal to win 2 - 0 and snatch the Championship from under the noses of the Liverpool supporters. Two years later (1991), Arsenal lost only one League game (a record for the 20th Century) to take their 10th Championship with a frustrated Liverpool finishing second. Only Liverpool have the won the Championship more times.

In 1993 Arsenal completed a unique cup double by becoming the only club to win the League Cup (now called the Coca Cola Cup) and the FA Cup in one season. They won both finals by 2 - 1 against Sheffield Wednesday, the winning goal in the FA Cup coming in the last minute of extra time. Their appearance in 12 FA Cup Finals was a record. 1994 saw Arsenal win their second European trophy, beating the Italian club Parma, 1 - 0 in Copenhagan. They reached the 1995 final only to lose 1 - 2 to a last minute goal against Real Zaragosa. By this time George Graham had left under a cloud. Arsene Wenger became Arsenal's first foreign manager in 1996. In 1998, Arsenal completed the double for the second time in their history. Coming from 12 points behind, Arsenal won ten games on the trot to beat Manchester United to the championship. In the FA Cup final Arsenal beat Newcastle United by 2 - 0. The following year they finished second in the League and reached the semi-final of the FA Cup.

In 2000 Arsenal again finished second in the League and reached the final of the UEFA Cup. They lost on penalties to the Turkish club, Galatasaray after a 0 - 0 draw. A year later they finished second in the League for the third year running and played in the FA Cup final in Cardiff, losing to Liverpool, 1 - 2. In 2002 Arsenal returned to Cardiff to win the FA Cup 2 - 0 against Chelsea. A few days later a 1 - 0 win at Manchester United gave Arsenal their 12th Championship and their third double. They completed an entire season without losing away, a feat not done since 1889. They couldn't quite retain the Championship in 2003, finishing second after a promising start. They did retain the FA Cup beating Southampton 1 - 0 in their third successive final. In 2004, Arsenal won the Championship and went through the entire league season (38 games) unbeaten. They completed a record-breaking run of 49 unbeaten league matches which began from the penultimate game of the 2003 season and ended on the ninth match of 2005.

It was not enough to retain the League but another FA Cup was won, on penalties against Manchester United. A year later Arsenal became the first London club to reach the final of the European Cup. In 2007 and 2011 the club reached League Cup finals but lost them both. The FA Cup was won in 2014 with a 3 - 2 win after being 0 - 2 down. The FA Cup was retained in 2015 with a comprehensive 4 - 0 win over Aston Villa. Arsenal finished second in the League in 2016. In the League, Arsenal's 90 consecutive years in the top division is a League record. The Arsenal Record Arsenal FC History, Players, Team, Information Arsenal FC History Arsenal Football Club (also known as Arsenal, The Arsenal or The Gunners) is a north London football club founded in 1886. They play at Arsenal Stadium, Highbury. Early years Arsenal were originally called Dial Square.

The club later changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal, and then to Royal Arsenal, then back to Woolwich Arsenal again (the original founders were employed in the "Dial Square" area of the Woolwich Arsenal, an armaments factory in Woolwich, south London). In 1893 they were the first southern team admitted to the Football League, a move partly caused by the refusal of other southern teams to play them after they turned professional. From 1893 to 1904, Woolwich Arsenal played in the Second Division of the Football League. They were promoted to the First Division in 1904. Woolwich Arsenal were relegated in 1913, the same year they moved from their south London home to Arsenal Stadium (often referred to as "Highbury") in north London. Their move away from this area precipitated the professionalism of Charlton Athletic - at this point an amateur club, amongst others who filled the void. With the move came the change of name to "The Arsenal". The club rejoined the First Division by dubious means in 1919 and have remained in the top division since that time, a unique feat in England.

This unbroken stretch of top-flight football has come much to the chagrin and longstanding enmity of Tottenham Hotspur (or "Spurs" for short) and their supporters, who lost their First Division place to The Arsenal. The First Division was due to be expanded and the decision to promote The Arsenal (who came fifth in the final league season before the war) rather than Barnsley or Wolves (third and fourth place, respectively), or to not relegate Spurs (who finished bottom of the First Division), has been linked to dubious back room deals by The Arsenal's chairman, and mastermind of the move from Woolwich to Highbury, Sir Henry Norris. 1930s to 1960s In 1925, Huddersfield Town manager Herbert Chapman took over at The Arsenal. Under his leadership, a successful drive to rename the local tube station, Gillespie Road station, to Arsenal took place (the old name can still be seen picked out in tiles on the wall of the station). Chapman's Arsenal won the FA Cup in 1930 and the League in 1931 and 1933.

They became the dominant team English football in the 1930s. It was also during Chapman's era that the club lost the definite article from its name, becoming just "Arsenal". It has been suggested by some that Chapman instigated the change so that Arsenal would be at the top of the League's alphabetical list, a position they maintain among the 92 top clubs today (however, should Accrington Stanley gain promotion from the Conference, they will lose it). Chapman died suddenly in January 1934, but his legacy was continued by his successor, George Allison, who oversaw the club's completion of a hat-trick of league titles, and another FA Cup win in 1936. Such was Arsenal's dominance that in November 1934, Arsenal players made up seven of the eleven England players who beat World Champions Italy 3-2. At the outbreak of war in 1939, Arsenal Stadium was requisitioned as an ARP station, with a barrage balloon operating behind the Clock End. The stadium continued to operate as a football ground for the armed forces, often with two or three games on it every day.

During the Blitz, a 3,000lb bomb fell on the North Bank stand, destroying that stand's roof and setting fire to the scrap that was being stored on the terrace. Arsenal played their wartime home games at White Hart Lane, courtesy of their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. After the war, the Arsenal board presented the Spurs board with a cannon as a gesture of thanks. The war had cut short the careers of many of the club's star players, and upon the league's resumption in 1946-47 the club finished a dissapointing 13th. Allison resigned and was replaced by Tom Whitaker. Whitaker enjoyed immediate success with the club, winning the league in 1948 and 1953 and the FA Cup in 1950. However, after these the club went through a barren period, not winning a trophy for another seventeen years. England legend Billy Wright managed the club between 1962 and 1966 with little success, but he was succeeded by club physiotherapist Bertie Mee, who would lead the club to success in the early 1970s.

1970s to mid-1980s Mee's appointment at Arsenal heralded a brief period of glory. The youth team had won the FA Youth Cup in 1966, and players such as Charlie George, John Radford and Ray Kennedy graduated to the first team. The team's early signs of promise included reaching two successive League Cup finals in the late 1960s, although they lost both times, the second one an infamous 3-1 loss to Third Division side Swindon Town. Arsenal finally collected some silverware in 1970, when the club won its first European trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. After beating Ajax Amsterdam, one of the strongest teams in the world at the time, in the semi-finals, Arsenal won the final 4-3 on aggregate over Anderlecht, after being (at one point) 3-0 down in the first leg.

The highlight of this period was the club's first FA Cup and League "Double" win in 1970-71.The League title was won at White Hart Lane, home of their deadly rivals Tottenham Hotspur, on the last day of the season; five days later Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley after extra-time, the winning goal scored by Charlie George. Arsenal failed to capitalise on this success, and spent most of the mid-1970s in mid-table obscurity, brightened only with the emergence of Irish superstar Liam Brady. However, towards the end of the decade, under Terry Neill they proved their mettle in the cup. Between 1978 and 1980 Arsenal had a record-equalling spell in which they reached three FA Cup finals in a row. They won just the one, beating Manchester United 3-2 in the 1979 final after United had come back from 2-0 down. Alan Sunderland scored late on to secure a famous victory. Arsenal went on to lose the following season's FA Cup final to West Ham, and the Cup Winners Cup final on penalties to Valencia.

After the departure of Liam Brady to Juventus, the team entered another barren period for the first half of the 1980s. The George Graham years At the end of the 1985-86 season, Millwall manager George Graham (a former Arsenal player) was appointed as the club's new manager and it was a beginning of a golden era of Highbury. He led the club to victory over Liverpool in the League Cup final during his first season in charge and at the end of his third season (1988-89) the club won its first league title since 1971 in dramatic fashion. Needing two goals to secure the league championship against Liverpool, an injury time goal by midfielder Michael Thomas (who, ironically, later became a Liverpool player) gave Arsenal a 2-0 win to secure the league title. Another league title came in 1991, with Arsenal losing just one out of 38 league fixtures, although they had 2 points deducted in October 1990 after ten of their players were involved in a brawl with Manchester United players in a match at Old Trafford.

By the early 1990s, Arsenal had probably the finest squad in the English league. Goalkeeper David Seaman, defender and captain Tony Adams, winger Paul Merson and striker Alan Smith were capable of competing with some of the best players in England, if not Europe. The �2.5million addition of Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright in October 1991 further boosted the squad. Arsenal completed a unique FA Cup/League Cup double in 1993 (beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in both finals) although they finished 10th in the inaugural Premier League and scored fewer goals (40) than any other team in the division. 1994 saw the club win its second European trophy, by beating Parma 1-0 in the Cup Winners Cup final with a goal from Alan Smith. But the following February, George Graham was sacked after nearly nine years in charge after he was discovered to have accepted an illegal �425,000 payment from Swedish agent Rune Hauge following the 1992 acquisition of Danish midfielder John Jensen.

Assistant manager Stewart Houston took charge until the end of the season, and although Arsenal finished a disappointing 12th in the Premiership they did reach the Cup Winners Cup final again - only to lose 2-1 to a last minute goal from the halfway line by Real Zaragoza midfielder Nayim. The interregnum Bruce Rioch, who had just guided Bolton Wanderers to a League Cup final appearance and promotion to the top division after a 15-year exile, was appointed as the club's new manager for the 1995-96 season. He (briefly) broke the English transfer record by paying Internazionale �7.5million for Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp, and the new signing formed an impressive partnership with Ian Wright. Arsenal reached the League Cup semi final and finished fifth in the Premiership at the end of 1995-96, securing a place in the following season's UEFA Cup and giving hope for an eventual title challenge. But in August 1996, just before the start of the new season, Bruce Rioch was sacked by the club's board of directors after a dispute over transfer funds.

Assistant manager Stewart Houston was once again put in temporary charge, remaining at the helm for a month, before resigning to take over at QPR. Youth team coach Pat Rice held the fort for several games, before making way for the 44-year-old Frenchman Ars�ne Wenger, who had guided AS Monaco to the French league title in 1988. Wenger's Arsenal With the advent of Ars�ne Wenger as manager, Arsenal rebuilt their squad with a crop of French players seemingly unknown to all but Wenger. This first batch included Nicolas Anelka, Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira, as well as the Dutch winger Marc Overmars. Wenger melded the team with some of the "old guard", retaining Tony Adams, Lee Dixon, Martin Keown and Steve Bould, and also keeping on Pat Rice as his assistant. The team immediately improved under Wenger's management, coming third and achieving a UEFA Cup place in 1996-97, with six minutes left in the last game of the season. Wenger took the club much further, to their second ever double the following season, after closing a 11 point gap behind Manchester United.

A 4-0 home win over Everton on May 3 gave Arsenal the title with two matches to spare, making Ars�ne Wenger the first foreign manager to win the English league. On May 16, Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the FA Cup final to complete the double. Despite the signing of Fredrik Ljungberg in 1998 and Thierry Henry a year later, a more barren period followed as Arsenal failed to win anything for the next few years, though they came close several times; they blew a winning position in the 1998-99 Championship, losing it on the final day, and lost the last ever FA Cup semi-final replay to Manchester United in extra time, after a Dennis Bergkamp penalty miss in normal time. They also lost the UEFA Cup Final in 2000, on penalties to Turkish side Galatasaray after a 0-0 draw, and the 2001 FA Cup Final to Liverpool, after leading 1-0 but succumbing to two late Michael Owen goals.

Arsenal bounced back in the 2001-02 season, as they won their second double under Wenger, winning all of their final 13 Premiership fixtures. They finished seven points ahead of runners-up Liverpool, the title secured in the penultimate game of the season with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The previous weekend, Arsenal had wrapped up their eighth FA Cup success, beating Chelsea 2-0. Arsenal scored in all 38 league games and not losing any of their 19 away games. Henry was the club's leading league goalscorer with 24 goals in the Premiership. Arsenal retained the FA Cup in 2002-03, but their joy was soured by the fact that they had surrendered the Premiership title to Manchester United when at the beginning of March they had led the table by eight points; Arsenal lost their title with a 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Leeds United in the penultimate game of the season.

Arsenal had a record breaking season in 2003-04, winning the Premiership unbeaten (26 wins, 12 draws, 0 defeats), becoming only the second team to do so without losing a single game - the first being Preston North End in 1889. Their rivals for the title gained revenge in other competitions though, as Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea and the FA Cup by Manchester United in successive games. The team has yet to register top finishes in the UEFA Champions League, where they have still not progressed beyond the quarter-finals stage. This may have contributed to Thierry Henry's failure to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2003, although he is the third player to win the PFA Player of the Year award in two different seasons (after Mark Hughes and Alan Shearer), and is the first to win the award in two consecutive seasons. So far, Henry and other key players have shown loyalty to the team and its manager by renewing their contracts rather than departing for the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid, where they would almost certainly be paid greater amounts of money than at Arsenal.

Thanks to his success at Arsenal, Ars�ne Wenger is now rated by some as the best Arsenal manager ever, while most football enthusiasts rate him at least as good as Herbert Chapman, Bertie Mee and George Graham. Crest Over the years the Arsenal crest has often been slightly modified, resulting in a crest which had no author who could claim the copyright. At the beginning of the 2001/02 season, Arsenal changed sponsors from Sega Dreamcast to O2 and simultaneously introduced a new 'modern' crest. This received a mixed response from fans, some claiming that it had ignored much of Arsenal's history by removing the blackletter text, the Latin motto Victoria Concordia Crescit (which means "victory comes from harmony") and coat of arms. The cannon has also been reversed; it now points eastward, like the original cannon crest. Colours Arsenal wear a mostly red home kit, in recognition of a charitable donation from Nottingham Forest. Dial Square's founding members, F. W. Beardsley and A. J. Bates, were former Forest players who had moved to Woolwich for work.

As they put together the first team in the area, no kit could be found, so Beardsley and Bates wrote home for help and received a set of kit and a ball. The kit was originally all-red and a much darker, almost purple, shade than currently used, but in 1933 Herbert Chapman, wishing his players to be more distinctly dressed, updated the kit, adding white sleeves and changing the shade to a brighter pillar box red. The team has stuck with the combination since, aside from a single season in 1963-64 where they reverted to all-red. For the 2005-06 season only, the last season that Arsenal will play at Highbury, the teams' shirts are to be changed to the original darker red to reflect the colour worn in the first season at Highbury, in 1913. The colour is similar to that used by Sparta Prague, who themselves based their shirt's colour on Arsenal's 1906 kit. Arsenal's away colours are traditionally yellow and blue, although they wore a green and black away kit for a short while in the early 1980s.

Since the 1990s and the advent of the lucrative replica kit market, the away colours have been changed every couple of seasons; as a result, as well as yellow and blue, they have also been, at different times, navy blue with light blue, and metallic gold with navy trim. The current away kit is an all-blue number. New stadium Limitations at Highbury have led the club to monetary losses in recent seasons despite impressive domestic form. To close the gap with rivals such as Manchester United, Arsenal are currently in the process of building a new 60,000 seater stadium at Ashburton Grove, about 500m southwest, towards Holloway Road. While this project has been somewhat delayed by bureaucratic red tape and rising costs, the club has secured financing and hopes that its new stadium will enable it to continue to develop and compete at the very highest level of English and continental football.

The stadium will be known until the end of the 2020/21 season as The Emirates Stadium after the club signed the largest sponsorship deal in English football history with airline Emirates, worth approximately �100 million over the term of the deal; Emirates will also become the club's shirt sponsor from 2006 until the end of the 2012-2013 season.

Arsenal FC Honours, Trophies & Awards League Championships: 13 1931 1933 1934 1935 1938 1948 1953 1971 1989 1991 1998 2002 2004 (1998 and later are Premiership titles) FA Cups: 9 1930 1936 1950 1971 1979 1993 1998 2002 2003 League Cups: 2 European Cup Winners' Cup: 1 1994 Three "Doubles": 1971 1998 2002 One Domestic Cup Double: 1993 Everton 0-2 Arsenal - BBC Sport Everton 0 Read more about sharing. Danny Welbeck scored his fourth goal in nine games since returning from injury Arsenal responded to their exits from both the Champions League and FA Cup with a comfortable victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring on seven minutes, put through by Alexis Sanchez to round Joel Robles and slot home for his fourth of the season. On 42 minutes, teenager Alex Iwobi marked his maiden Premier League start with a first goal for the club. The result leaves the Gunners 11 points behind leaders Leicester City. It was a first win in four league matches for third-placed Arsenal, who dominated the game. In contrast, Everton failed to test their opponents properly and had just two shots on target as their dreadful home form - now four defeats in five in the league - continued. Relive Arsenal's stroll at Goodison Park Light at the end of a bad week Arsenal began the week with a 2-1 home defeat by Watford in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup being knocked out of the FA Cup. Then on Wednesday they lost 3-1 to Barcelona at the Nou Camp as they were knocked out of the Champions League. With only the league to focus on, this looked like a must-win match for the Gunners if they were to stay in touch with Leicester. There are also not yet assured of a Champions League place with fifth-placed West Ham only three points behind before kick-off.

In the event, they responded to last week's disappointments with a positive performance and earned a first league win since beating Leicester 2-1 on 14 February. Super Eagle A proud uncle It was a dream full league debut by Iwobi, the 19-year-old Nigeria midfielder. He has come through the ranks at Arsenal's Hale End academy and made his first-team debut in October's 3-0 League Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday and signed a new contract last year. Iwobi was born in Lagos but played for England's youth teams before deciding to represent Nigeria and has won two caps for the Super Eagles. He boasts footballing pedigree as his uncle is former Bolton and Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha. Iwobi was brimming with confidence in attack and had the most shots of any of his team-mates. He linked well with Welbeck and showed composure and strength to hold off the challenge of Ramiro Funes Mori before scoring his goal. Man of the match - Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Three shots, one goal - a dream first league start for Iwobi Everton lack home comfort Everton have now won just one of their past nine Premier League games at Goodison Park.

They have the league's worst defensive record at home, conceding 28 goals - already the most they have shipped in a 38-game Premier League season. The Toffees' record is worse than bottom club Aston Villa, who have let in 25 at Villa Park. They have kept only two clean sheets at home in the league this season and their Goodison Park record reads: played 16, won four, drawn four, lost eight. The fans were audibly frustrated at their team's poor form and the home defence was exposed horribly by Hector Bellerin's well-flighted pass for Iwobi's goal. Manager Roberto Martinez changed formation at half-time, bringing on defender John Stones for midfielder Muhamed Besic and switching to a back three. The change worked as Everton looked more compact in the second half, but they rarely threatened a comeback. The average position of Everton's centre-backs Ramiro Funes Mori (25) and Phil Jagielka (6) was higher than their Arsenal counterparts - a factor in the Gunners' second goal What the managers said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "It was a very significant win for us and a mental test. We continued the level of performance against Barcelona.

"I like this group, I like the mental attitude - it has been questioned and it hurts me. "When you work every day with them you see how much effort they put in." Media playback is not supported on this device Questions of Arsenal attitude 'hurt' Arsene Wenger Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "We were second best. I thought Arsenal had more bite and intensity. "It was so disappointing, the contrast in performance from last Saturday [the 2-0 FA Cup victory over Chelsea] is difficult to explain. "We never got a platform into the game, we were ineffective, we had second thoughts in every action and Arsenal were, in every single aspect of the performance, better than us." Media playback is not supported on this device Roberto Martinez laments season's 'worst performance' The stats you need to know Arsenal enjoyed only their third victory in their past 10 away Premier League games (drawn four, lost three). Welbeck has now scored four Premier League goals against Everton, his joint-best return against any side (along with Aston Villa). Iwobi scored on his first Premier League start, the first Arsenal player to do so since Joel Campbell in October.

Bellerin has provided three assists in his past two Premier League games after managing just two in his previous 46. What next? The Premier League takes a break for international football and Arsenal do not play again until 2 April when Watford visit Emirates Stadium. Next for Everton is a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on 3 April. 17 Besic Substituted for Stones at 45'minutes 12 Lennon 20 Barkley Substituted for Deulofeu at 73'minutes 15 Cleverley 11 Özil Substituted for Gibbs at 74'minutes 45 Iwobi Substituted for Chambers at 86'minutes 23 Welbeck Substituted for Giroud at 75'minutes Substitutes Football: The forgotten story of ... the 1993-94 FA Cup | Football | The Guardian The forgotten story of ... the 1993-94 FA Cup There were giantkillings galore in one of the greatest Cup seasons of the modern era John Hartson and Luton celebrate against Newcastle.

Photograph: Anton Want/Getty Images Wednesday 14 January 2009 08.40 EST First published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 08.40 EST Share on Messenger Close A league campaign is like a good album: a meandering story told in a number of parts. A cup campaign is different. All we usually remember are the singles: the two or three killer moments that stand out among the disposable filler. The FA Cup has the mother of all greatest hits packages, but we tend not to remember the individual albums. Many fans, for example, would struggle to name another truly noteworthy incident from Ronnie Radford's season ; some won't even know what season it was. Some exceptions inevitably prove the rule. Many will recall the FA Cups of 1989-90 and 2007-08; a less remembered classic was the season of 1993-94 . Not so much for the defining triumph of arguably Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest side — their presence in post-match interviews, television studios or, since December, dole queues provides a constant reminder — but for the early rounds, in which giantkilling became a delicious norm.

Only seven of the last 16 were Premiership sides; one, Kidderminster Harriers, weren't even a Football League side. More striking still, seven of the top 10 in that season's Premiership went out to lower-division sides, an unprecedented uprising even in this most famously anarchic of competitions. Overall, 12 of the 22 top-flight sides met the same fate. Of those 12, nine went out in replays, giving a glorious lie to the received wisdom that there are no second chances for minnows; and of those nine replays, six were on a Premiership patch. As Goliath lurched this way and that, David had the steady hand of a darts player after his ninth pint of Range Finder. This, too, in days when the FA Cup actually meant something, man: Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Tony Adams, Robbie Fowler, Peter Beardsley and others all played when their sides went out.

Whereas last season's upsets felt almost like sightings of Halley's Comet, the 1993-94 season was more like the annual onset of winter: these shocks came once a year, and the extremity of this particular FA Cup winter only stretched credibility ever so slightly. In those days, English football was a splendidly healthy competition. It is unthinkable and impossible now but, between 1990 and 1995, a promoted side finished in the top four of the top division every single season (Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, since you didn't ask). Not that, in 1993-94, the Premiership sides fell to the elite of the Endsleigh League. Wolves were the highest-placed side to author one of those 12 upsets, and they only finished eighth in Division One . Five of the 12 went to Bolton and Luton, who excelled in the Cup despite decidedly modest league campaigns.

Bruce Rioch's Bolton were gifted loose cannons, with two apparent stars of the future in Jason McAteer and Alan Stubbs and a diminutive balding whippet of a winger in David Lee: they had won at Anfield in the previous season's FA Cup and would reach the League Cup final and win promotion the following season. Luton, under David Pleat, had an almost computer-game mix of young legs and old heads: of the 13 who beat Newcastle in the fourth round , nine were 24 or under and the other four in their thirties, including Alan Harper and the late David Preece , a player whose almost genteel class symbolised this hugely likeable team. The giantkilling fun had started, of course, on third-round day , when second division Stockport gave a streetwise QPR side such a chastening chasing that Ray Wilkins broke two habits of a lifetime by a) running and b) losing his rag, tearing after the referee as if he was about to Tango-slap him in the aftermath of Stockport's controversial equaliser. Stockport went on to win 2-1 thanks to a storming volley from Andy Preece . The margin of victory should have been more emphatic.

It was seriously grim up north that day and, in truth, Rangers didn't fancy it. Southampton, enduring the last days of Ian Branfoot before a joyous 18 months under Alan Ball, drew at home to Port Vale the same day – Branfoot left that week – and would go out in a replay that was most memorable for an over-the-ball challenge from Tommy Widdrington so dripping with ineptitude and ill-judged ill-will that it's impossible not to laugh illicitly when you see it. Which, if you're lucky enough to have the VHS of Angus Deayton's One Foot In The Groin nestling in the attic, you can do on a regular basis. (It's in the worst tackle of all-time bit, sandwiched between a few dozen Sounessian demonstrations of what a difference a split-second can make.) In the meantime, on the Sunday of third-round weekend, Mark Hughes, after scoring a quite sublime winner for Manchester United , had been sent off for booting Sheffield United's David Tuttle up the arse with rare fury, because Tuttle had ... actually he hadn't done anything, which made it even funnier.

Everton got an even more painful toe up the derriere 10 days later. Having gone 2-0 up at home to Bolton in their third-round replay to continue their good start under Mike Walker (no, really), they went down 3-2 in extra-time. On the same night Liverpool drew their rearranged tie 1-1 away to Bristol City , with Wayne Allison equalising a goal from Ian Rush ( the original game had been abandoned due to a floodlight failure with the score at 1-1, with Wayne Allison equalising a goal from Ian etc), but six days later they were dumped out on their own patch as well, with Brian Tinnion expertly curling the only goal of a thoroughly merited victory that finally persuaded Graeme Souness to remove the tin hat from his head and accept that his time at Liverpool was up. Tinnion subsequently received a number of thank-you letters from Liverpool fans. If all that was tasty enough, the fourth round had enough flavour to overwhelm the senses. Again the best bits were saved for the replays, the night-time scheduling of which accentuated the sense of disorder.

On the main fourth-round weekend only Manchester City, paying yet another price for their absurd decision to sack Peter Reid five months earlier, fell to lower-division opposition: they lost 1-0 at Cardiff, who would finish within two points of relegation to Division Three, thanks to a sumptuous chip from Nathan Blake. Manchester City were, according to the Observer, "toweringly inept in nearly every department". That theme permeated the tournament. These were giant-killings, but not as we know them. Most victories were richly deserved, and the majority – particularly those of Luton and Bolton – were achieved by outpassing and outclassing their superiors. On the first day of fourth-round replays, Charlton were certainly decent value for their outstanding 1-0 victory away to Alan Shearer FC- sorry, Blackburn, who finished second in the league that season and won it the following year. Their joint-manager Alan Curbishley, charisma incarnate even back then, said he would have swapped it for a win at Grimsby the previous Saturday. Then, a day later, came what this paper described as the ' Day of the Mutt '.

9 February 1994 deserves to be remembered as one of the most famous in the FA Cup's history. The BBC highlights programme Sportsnight was more like an extended newsflash. Not that Sky didn't have one hand on the Cup by then. They showed live coverage of Luton's splendid 2-0 victory over Newcastle , containing a bravura performance from a svelte 18-year-old called John Hartson, who scored a lovely opening goal and demonstrated a precocious all-round talent that would take him to Arsenal the following year. It was a stunning victory by any standards, yet on page 20 of this rag 'Mighty Oakes fells Keegan' was only the third story. In second place was 'Magilton stuns Leeds into sound of silence' – Oxford, who were second bottom of Division One and would go down, won 3-2 away at Leeds in extra-time, despite the psychologically crushing blow of losing a 2-0 lead in the final three minutes of normal time – and first was 'Bolton's style now dazzles Arsenal'.

Bolton won 3-1 in extra-time at Highbury, with Arsenal, who were the FA Cup holders and would win the Cup Winners' Cup the same season, played and chased off the pitch in what was one of the classiest giantkillings of all time. In extra-time, when Arsenal's theoretically superior fitness should have told, they were unzipped with the cool efficiency of a bongo queen getting to work on her co-star's trousers. Bolton striker John McGinlay, not exactly a pasta-and-Perrier champion himself, recalls Adams on his haunches, having been run ragged all night. You can see in this video how shattered Adams is for the final goal, while an equally fatigued Lee Dixon falls over like a drunk before Andy Walker seals the tie. There was a sense of inevitability when Bolton beat a good Aston Villa side in the next round, thanks to a stunning late free-kick from Stubbs. The report of that game in this paper began simply: 'Who can stop Bolton?' As it turned out, it was themselves: in the quarter-finals, a hideous error from Mark Patterson gifted Oldham's Darren Beckford a late winner at Burnden Park.

With Charlton and Wolves – who had beaten Ipswich 2-1 at Portman Road in a fifth-round replay – also going out to Manchester United and Chelsea respectively in the quarters, Luton were the last side left holding the sling. Having drawn 0-0 at West Ham, they reached a Wembley semi-final with a stunning 3-2 victory that was again live on Sky. Scott Oakes – whose father Trevor was in Showaddywaddy and who, like Stubbs and McAteer, seemed set for a hugely exciting career – scored a wonderful hat-trick; the third in particular was brilliantly nerveless. In this paper, David Lacey wrote that Luton had played "attacking football of the highest quality". Almost inevitably, it couldn't last. Wembley was too grand a stage and they were well beaten by Chelsea, who in turn went down 4-0 to United in the final . United's story is for another day, although Mark Hughes's über-Hughes volley against Oldham in the semi-final is worth another look.

It was both earthquake and flapping of a butterfly's wings , and the most significant league goal in Cup history: it sent Oldham down and, at a stroke, got a blundering United back on track in the title race. In musical terms it was a blockbusting single – but in this FA Cup campaign it was also part of a great album. ARSENAL: The History Arsenal: The History 1886: Dial Square FC formed at Royal Arsenal Armaments Factory, Woolwich. Name of club changed to Royal Arsenal FC. Nottingham Forest FC loan first set of playing shirts. 1888: Home venue moved to Manor Ground. 1890: Home venue moved to Invicta Ground. 1891: The club embrace professionalism and started season 1891-92 as professionals. Club changed name to Woolwich Arsenal. 1893 Elected to Division 2 of Football League. Home venue changed back to Manor Ground. 1896: Biggest league defeat, 0-8 v Loughborough (A) on 12th December 1896.

1900: Biggest league victory, 12-0 v Loughborough (H) on 12th March 1900. 1904: Finish 2nd in Division 2 of Football League and promoted to Division 1. 1906: FA Cup Semi-Finalists for the first time. 1910: Company went into voluntary liquidation. New company formed. 1913: Relegated to Division 2 of Football League at end of 1912-13 season. Fewest league points in a season 18. Home venue moved to Highbury. First game at Highbury v Leicester Fosse - Arsenal won 2-1. Club changed name to Arsenal FC. 1919: On extension of Division 1 after the war, Arsenal are elected to Division 1 and have never been relegated. Leslie Knighton appointed Manager. 1925: Herbert Chapman appointed Secretary-Manager. 1926: Jock Rutherford becomes oldest Arsenal player at 41 years and 236 days v Manchester City, March 20th 1926. Runners up Football League.

1927: FA Cup Finalists for the first time. Lost to Cardiff City FC 1-0. 1930: FA Cup Winners for the first time. Beat Huddersfield Town 2 -0. 1931: Champions of Football League for the first time (1930-31). Most goals scored in season - 127. 1932: Runners up in Football League. FA Cup Finalists for the third time. Lost 1-2 to Newcastle United. 1933: Champions of Football League for the second time (1932-33) 1934: Herbert Chapman died January 1934. George Allison appointed Managing Director and later, Secretary-Manager. Champions of Football League for the third time (1933-34). 1935: Record attendance at Highbury 73,295 v Sunderland, 9th March 1935. Champions of Football League for the fourth time (1934-35). Ted Drake scored 42 goals - an Arsenal record for one season. 1936: FA Cup winners for the second time.

Beat Sheffield United 1-0. 1938: Champions of Football league for the fifth time (1937-38). 1947: George Allison retired. Tom Whittaker appointed Secretary-Manager. 1948: Champions of Football League for the sixth time (1947-48). 1950: FA Cup winners for the third time. Beat Liverpool 2-0. 1953: Champions of the Football League for the seventh time. Gerry Ward becomes the youngest player at 16 years, 321 days v Huddersfield Town, September 22nd 1953. 1956: Tom Whittaker died. Bob Wall appointed Secretary and Jack Crayston appointed Manager. Youth team win South East Counties League Cup. 1958: Jack Crayston resigned. George Swindin appointed Manager. 1962: FA Youth Cup Winners. Bertie Mee appointed Manager. 1968: League Cup Finalists for the first time. Lose 0-1 to Leeds United. 1969: League Cup Finalists for the second time.

Lose 1-3 to Swindon Town. 1970: European Fairs Cup Winners beating Anderlecht of Belgium 4-3 on aggregate. Football Combination Champions. 1971: THE DOUBLE YEAR - Champions of the Football League for the eighth time and FA Cup Winners for the fourth time. Beat Liverpool 2-1. FA Youth Cup Winners. South-East Counties League Cup Winners. 1972: FA Cup finalists for eighth time. Lose 0-1 to Leeds United. Bob Wall appointed General Manager and Ken Friar appointed Secretary. 1973: Runners up of Football League. FA Cup Semi-Finalists. 1976: Bertie Mee resigns. Terry Neill appointed Manager. 1978: FA Cup finalists for ninth time. Lose 0-1 to Ipswich Town. 1979: FA Cup Winners for fifth time. Beat Manchester United 3-2. 1980: FA Cup finalists for the eleventh time. Lose 0-1 to West Ham United. European Cup Winners Cup finalists. Lose on penalties to Valencia, Spain. 1982: Don Howe succeeds Terry Neill as Manager.

FA Cup Semi-Finalists. Ken Friar appointed Managing Director. 1984: Football Combination Champions. Southern Junior Floodlit Cup Winners. David Dein appointed as Vice Chairman. 1986: Don Howe resigns. George Graham appointed Manager. 1987: Littlewoods Cup Winners. Beat Liverpool 2-1. 1988: Littlewoods Cup finalists. Lose 2-3 to Luton Town. FA Youth Cup Winners for the third time. 1989: Champions of the Football League for the ninth time. George Graham named "Manager of the Year". 1990: Football Combination Champions. 1991: Champions of the Football League for the tenth time only losing one game and only conceding 18 goals. George Graham named "Manager of the Year". FA Cup Semi-Finalists. South-East Counties League Champions. Southern Junior Floodlit Cup Winners. 1992: Founder member of the FA Premier League. 1993: Arsenal become the first team to win both the FA Cup and League Cup (Coca-Cola Cup) in the same season, beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in both finals.

David O'Leary sets a record of 722 appearances for Arsenal. The new North Bank Stand opens for the start of the 1993/94 season and Highbury becomes an all seater stadium October 1993. 1994: Arsenal win their Second European Trophy, The European Cup Winners Cup beating Parma, Italy 1-0 in the final in Copenhagen. FA Youth Cup - Winners for the fourth time. 1995: Finalists in the European Cup Winners Cup, Losing 2-1 to Real Zaragosa of Spain after extra-time in Paris. George Graham replaced by Bruce Rioch. Dennis Berkamp becomes record signing for �7.5m from Internazionale. 1996: Bruce Rioch sacked. Stewart Houston leaves. Arsene Wenger appointed Manager and installs Pat Rice as his No 2. League Managers Association - GEORGE GRAHAM 30/11/1944 Share profile: George Graham is one of English football's most successful managers, having won two League Championships, three League Cups, one FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup trophy in a managerial career spanning four clubs and three decades.

The Scotsman began his playing career at Aston Villa, but it was at the London clubs that he made his name, appearing first for Chelsea, then, of course Arsenal. George became a key member of Arsenal's historic League and FA Cup double-winning side after helping the Gunners beat Liverpool at Wembley in 1971. He was then sold to Manchester United after collecting a FA Cup runners-up medal (Arsenal were beaten by Leeds) and the first of 12 Scotland International caps. Spells at Portsmouth and Crystal Palace followed, before the lure of coaching proved too great. Graham retired from playing in 1977 to take up a coaching job at Queens Park Rangers, then Crystal Palace. His first stint in management was at Millwall, steering them clear of relegation from Division Three in 1982. Three years later he guided them to promotion to Division Two, before hitting the big time with a return to Highbury as Arsenal's manager in May 1986. His success at Highbury was immediate. Arsenal won the League Cup in his first season, beating Liverpool in the final.

A Wembley defeat followed the following year when the Gunners lost out to Luton Town in the League Cup final. The major prize was just round the corner though - Graham guided Arsenal to their first League title for 18 years in 1989. Two years later he was at it again as Arsenal, who lost only one League match all season, were crowned Champions for the second time under Graham, overcoming the handicap of a two point deduction. In 1993 Graham presided over a historic FA Cup and League Cup double-triumph, with Arsenal beating Sheffield Wednesday in both finals. European success came a year later as The Gunners lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup with 1-0 triumph over Parma in Copenhagen. After Arsenal, Graham joined Leeds United in 1996, signing Arsenal centre-back David O'Leary and later making him his assistant. He was only at Elland Road for two seasons but he took Leeds from mid-table into the top six, signing players such as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Lee Bowyer and Lee Martyn and bringing out the best of players like Lucas Radebe.

He left Leeds in 1998 to join Tottenham and was charged with the task of returning the glory days to White Hart Lane. He succeeded with victory in the League Cup in 1999, Graham's third as a manager, which gave Spurs their first trophy since 1991. He also helped a number of promising young players develop at White Hart Lane, many of whom broke into the first team. Graham and Tottenham parted company on March 16 2001. Previous clubs European Cup Winners Cup Winners, (1994-05-04) league-titles Football League Division One Champions, (1991-05-11) Football League Division One Champions, (1989-05-26) SHOW MORE HONOURS

Question: In 1993, Arsenal won both the FA Cup and League Cup, beating which team in both finals?
Answer: Sheffield Wednesday