Arsenal's greatest FA Cup goals

Ray Freddie

By James Reid

Arsenal are the most successful club in FA Cup with 14 titles over the years, with the most recent victory coming in 2020. 

The Gunners’ first title came in 1930 as Alex James and Jack Lambert scored twice to beat Huddersfield Town 2-0. 

However, recent years have been particularly fruitful, with seven victories coming since the turn of the century. 

 

Unsurprisingly, the Gunners have scored plenty of cracking goals on their way to these 14 titles and we’ve been through the archives to find some of the best. 

 

It’s been tough to whittle down the list, with some notable exceptions missing out, but here are some of Arsenal’s best FA Cup goals. 


 

Ray Parlour v. Chelsea 2002 

 

The 2002 FA Cup Final presented Arsenal with the chance to take the first step towards what would be their second double under Arsene Wenger. 

 

The game was tied for 70 minutes until the Romford Pele surged through midfield to receive a pass from Sylvain Wiltord, shifted the ball onto his right and fired into the top corner from 25 yards to set the Gunners on their way to another cup victory. 


 

Freddie Ljungberg v. Chelsea 2002 

 

The 2002 final was one of great games for the Gunners. After Parlour’s stunning opener, Freddie Ljunberg sealed the victory ten minutes later. 

 

The Swede picked the ball up in his own half, sprinted past John Terry and William Gallas before curling the ball into the top corner giving Carlo Cudicini no chance and seal the cup for Arsenal. 


Sanchez

 

Alexis Sanchez v. Aston Villa 2015 

 

Arsenal seem to save their best goals for finals as the 2015 final produced another stunner, this time from Alexis Sanchez. 

 

The Gunners coasted past Villa 4-0 to claim their 12th title with the highlight coming as Sanchez fired in from outside the box to put Arsenal two ahead just after half-time. 

 

Theo Walcott had already opened the scoring while Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud rounded off the win, but Sanchez’s thundering strike was the pick of the bunch. 


 

Santi Cazorla v. Hull City 2014 

 

Arsenal’s 11th title came in dramatic circumstances as the Gunners fought back from 2-0 down against Hull to win 3-2 in extra-time. 

 

Early goals from James Chester and Curtis Davies saw Hull take a two-goal lead after just eight minutes but Santi Cazorla’s goal kick-started a famous fight back. 

 

The Spaniard got the Gunners back in the game with a terrific free-kick after 17 minutes, curling a strike into the top right-hand corner past Allan McGregor, before Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey completed the comeback. 

 

Cazorla

 

Alan Sunderland v. Manchester United 1979 

 

The 1979 FA Cup Final was one for the ages. Arsenal went into the final five minutes 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton but were pegged back by two quickfire goals from Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy on 86 and 88 minutes.  

  

But the Gunners struck back to win the cup in the 89th minute as Alan Sunderland got on the end of a Sammy Nelson cross to poke home the winner in one of the most dramatic winners in FA Cup history.  

 

It was Arsenal’s first FA Cup in eight years, and they would not win another one until 1993, and they won it with one of the latest winners in cup final history. 


 

Thierry Henry v. Leeds United 2012 

 

Though Arsenal didn’t go on to win the FA Cup in 2012, this goal is one that lives long in the memory for all Arsenal fans. 

 

Thierry Henry, on his return to Arsenal after nearly five years away, came off the bench to score the winner against Leeds in the most romantic of goals. 

 

To see one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players don the red and white once again was good enough, but to see him net the winner in the FA Cup was even better. '


Henry


Charlie George v. Liverpool 1971 

 

Not only did 1971 mark Arsenal’s first FA Cup since 1953, but it also saw an historic double. 

 

It had looked in danger as Steve Heighway put Liverpool ahead in extra-time but George Graham pulled one back to level before Charlie George brilliantly won the game for Arsenal. 

 

George received the ball from John Radford and fired past Ray Clemence from the edge of the box. 


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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