Arsenal has secured the FA Cup for a record 12th time, after thrashing Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley on Saturday.
In a week filled with football controversy, fans travelled to witness the last game of the English football season and it did not disappoint in excitement.
The Gunners dominated the game from the onset and Theo Walcott, pumped after securing a hat-trick against West Brom last week, put one in the back of the net with a left-footed strike in the 40th minute. The goal, which felt like a long time coming, thrilled Arsenal fans, none more so than Arsene Wenger who made the tough decision as to whether to start the 26-year-old.
Arsenal Win The FA Cup
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(01 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates on the pitch with the trophy after winning the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Michael Regan - The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(02 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal lift the trophy in celebration after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(03 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal lift the trophy in celebration after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(04 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal lift the trophy in celebration after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Rose via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(05 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Theo Walcott of Arsenal celebrates victory after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(06 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrate after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - The FA via Getty Images)
Britain Socccer FA Cup Final(07 of29)
Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, right, sprays Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, left, with champagne after the English FA Cup final soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 30, 2015. Arsenal won the match 4-0. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) (credit:Rui Vieira/AP)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(08 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Britain Soccer FA Cup Final(09 of29)
Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, right, sprays Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, left, with champagne after the English FA Cup final soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 30, 2015. Arsenal won the match 4-0. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:Alastair Grant/AP)
Britain Soccer FA Cup Final(10 of29)
Arsenal's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, right, sprays Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, left, with champagne after the English FA Cup final soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 30, 2015. Arsenal won the match 4-0. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:Alastair Grant/AP)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(11 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(12 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(13 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring their second goal of the game with team-mates Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(14 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game (credit:Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(15 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring their second goal of the game with team-mate Francis Coquelin (right) during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(16 of29)
Aston Villa's Alan Hutton and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez battle for the ball during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)
Britain Soccer FA Cup Final(17 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English FA Cup final soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 30, 2015 . (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) (credit:Alastair Grant/AP)
Soccer - FA Cup - Final - Arsenal v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium(18 of29)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Aston Villa's Tom Cleverley (right) battle for the ball the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday May 30, 2015. See PA Story SOCCER FA Cup. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixture (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(19 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Per Mertesacker of Arsenal celebrates victory on the final whistle the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Steve Bardens - The FA via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-FACUP-ASTON VILLA-ARSENAL(20 of29)
Arsenal's German defender Per Mertesacker and Arsenal's English midfielder Theo Walcott react at during the FA Cup final football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London on May 30, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(21 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Tom Cleverley of Aston Villa (2R) is crowded out by Nacho Monreal (L), Laurent Koscielny (2L) and Per Mertesacker of Arsenal (R) during the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Gilham via Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-FACUP-ASTON VILLA-ARSENAL(22 of29)
Arsenal's German defender Per Mertesacker (C) holds up the trophy after winning the FA Cup final football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in London on May 30, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(23 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Per Mertesacker of Arsenal celebrates during the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Clive Rose via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(24 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal and Jores Okore of Aston Villa battle for the ball during the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Lee - The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(25 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere of Arsenal celebrate victory with the trophy after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Michael Regan - The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(26 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal scores their fourth goal during the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Lee - The FA via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(27 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: (L-R) Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny and Olivier Giroud celebrate after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(28 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Wojciech Szczesny of Arsenal celebrate with the trophy and champagne after the FA Cup Final between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Gilham via Getty Images)
Aston Villa v Arsenal - FA Cup Final(29 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal during the match between Arsenal and Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on May 30, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:David Price via Getty Images)
England star Walcott said after the victory that his team’s next ambition is re-claiming the Premier League title:
"We're very close (to challenging). We just need to start well," he told the BBC.
"I've been here for a long time and this is one of the best squads that I've been part of. We should be achieving much more. But I believe now that's two FA Cups, the Premier League is the next big target."
Arsenal, which has now retained the Cup for two consecutive years, continues its high tempo pace in the second half, as Alexis Sanchez struck a powerhouse of a shot 25-yards away from Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, arguably the highlight of the game.
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A goal off Per Mertesacker’s shoulder and one from substitute Olivier Giroud in the closing moments completed Arsenal’s victory.
Tim Sherwood’s side never seemed to be in contention to match Arsenal’s dominance and seemed a shadow of the side that performed magnificently to beat Liverpool in the semi-final.
Arsene Wenger, who has now won the title six times, has fought off critics for another year by leading his side to silverware and a respectable third-place in the Premier League. The 65-year-old will surely be looking to secure next year’s Premier League title after the summer break.
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(01 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(02 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Jack Wilshere poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(03 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: (L-R) Per Mertesacker, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud pose with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(04 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud kisses the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(05 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(06 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Danny Welbeck poses during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(07 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: The Arsenal players pose with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(08 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: The Arsenal team pose with the cup during the FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(09 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(10 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(11 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: The Arsenal squad pose with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(12 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: The Arsenal team celebrate with the cup during the FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(13 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(14 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud poses during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(15 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: (L-R) Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott pose with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(16 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal's Per Mertesacker poses with the cup during the Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade in Islington on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(17 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal fans line the route of the Trophy Parade at Emirates Stadium on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:David Price via Getty Images)
Arsenal FA Cup Victory Parade(18 of18)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 31: Arsenal fans line the route of the Trophy Parade at Emirates Stadium on May 31, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (credit:David Price via Getty Images)