Saturday’s clash between Arsenal and Chelsea was the first FA Cup final in history without fans.The 139th edition of the FA Cup final would always be remembered as a result, regardless of what happened on the pitch.This was also the first FA Cup final in history to take place in August. It was moved back from its original May date due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.Crowd noise was played on television to give the illusion of an atmosphere.But the occasion wasn’t as magical as it would have been with 90,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium.That said, fans were treated to an entertaining opening 45 minutes.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mason Mount had both gone close early on before Chelsea's Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock in the fifth minute.
Nicolas Pepe then had a goal ruled out midway through the first half before Cesar Azpilicueta brought down Aubameyang inside the box.The Spanish defender was fortunate to avoid a straight red card, while Aubameyang made no mistake from 12 yards.
Although the history books will say no fans were in attendance, there was one Gunner inside Wembley.Ian Wright, the legendary Arsenal forward, went crazy from the outside Match of the Day studio after Aubameyang converted his penalty.Wright’s reaction - and that of former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole - was posted to Twitter by Gary Lineker.Watch it here...
Here's another angle...
Whoever you support, you can’t help but love Wrighty. The man oozes passion.
It’s also clear from Cole’s reaction that he was very much in Chelsea’s camp, rather than Arsenal’s, which isn’t a shock.
Let’s check out some of the reaction on social media…
The first half ended 1-1 and Wright, along with every other Arsenal fan watching from afar, will be desperately hoping the Gunners complete the comeback in the second 45 minutes.
UPDATE
Arsenal went on to win the final 2-1 - and this was Wright's reaction afterwards...