London: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired Arsenal to a record 14th FA Cup win as the Gunners captain struck twice to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final at an empty Wembley on Saturday.
Christian Pulisic had given Chelsea the dream start, but the Blues unravelled after Aubameyang was brought down by Cesar Azpilicueta inside the area and converted the resulting penalty.
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's brace guided Arsenal to FA Cup final victory, manager Mikel Arteta praised the striker saying that "we are so proud to have a player like him in our squad".
"Big games require big moments from big players, and he's delivered that in the semi-final and he's done it again in the final," the club's official website quoted Arteta as saying.
"That's why you ask about those players. Some were questioning that he couldn't do it in big games. There we go. He was a big, big part of delivering this trophy. He's done it and we are so proud to have a player like him in your squad," he added.
Aubameyang's heroics helped his side secure a 2-1 win against Chelsea in the decider here on Saturday. He converted a penalty in the 28th minute before adding another goal to Arsenal's tally in the second half.
With this win, Arsenal extended their remarkable record in the FA Cup by winning it for the 14th time. The Arte-led side also sealed Europa League football for next season.
An FA Cup final unlike any other with nearly 90,000 empty seats saw the traditional singing of "Abide With Me" performed on the Wembley roof.
Arteta has gained plenty of plaudits for his tactical nous during his first eight months in a managerial role and the Spaniard managed to reorganise the Gunners during the first-half drinks break to change the momentum of the game.
