Arsenal are once again the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup after beating Chelsea in as dramatic a final as the ‘new’ Wembley has ever seen.

A controversial early opener from star man Alexis Sanchez set the tone for the Gunners who looked largely untroubled throughout. A second-half sending off for Victor Moses sparked a mad spell in which a Diego Costa equaliser was rendered useless by Aaron Ramsey within seconds before, in very un-Arsenal like fashion this season, Arsene Wenger’s men saw the game out without incident to lift the famous old trophy for the third time in four years and a 13th as a club.

Having perfectly observed a minute’s silence in memory of the horrific events in Manchester on Monday referee Anthony Taylor got things going under the arch.

It wasn’t long before the man in the middle was in the spotlight. After a spell of Arsenal pressure in the opening minutes Sanchez was lucky not be penalised for a rather blatant handball before running onto his own knock down to finish well past Thibaut Courtois.

The controversy wasn’t to end there, however, as linesman Gary Beswick raised his flag against Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who had come dangerously close to interfering with play from the handball, before Taylor cleared things up, blew his whistle and sent the sea of red at the far end into raptures.

Incensed with the decision, it took Chelsea a while to settle into the final, their 16th appearance at the new Wembley, and they could have been two behind when, on the break, goalscorer Sanchez found partner in crime Mesut Ozil in space. The German was lucky to see his effort deflect off David Luiz and over the onrushing Courtois but had no such luck when Blues skipper Gary Cahill charged in to clear off the line.

With Antonio Conte’s players looking a shadow of the side we’ve seen dominate the Premier League this season their north London rivals came desperately close once again as Danny Welbeck’s glancing header from Ozil’s corner found the foot of the post, with Ramsey unable to turn the rebound home from a tight angle.

Going into the break and Wenger’s side looked more comfortable than at arguably any stage of this season, with the cobbled together back three of Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal, which had so concerned everyone in the build-up, dealing with anything messrs Hazard, Costa and Pedro could throw their way.

A rocket was needed from Conte during the interval and it looked as if that’s what his side got as the League champions returned with far more purpose than in the first 45 minutes, with N’Golo Kante and Victor Moses both forcing a save from David Ospina in the minutes following the restart.

If Chelsea were already unhappy with Anthony Taylor, things were about to get a whole lot worse as Victor Moses, who had been booked for a tug on Welbeck, went down in the Arsenal box and was soon walking down the tunnel thanks to a second yellow for simulation.

The red card triggerd two things on the Chelsea bench. First of all a switch to a back four and then introduction of this season’s FA Cup hero, Willian.

And the Brazilian, who has scored four goals in the competition this term including two in the semi-final against Tottenham, soon justified the decision as his lofted ball into the box found compatriot Costa who did well to hold off the efforts of Rob Holding before turning and firing into the bottom corner.

However, if Conte’s change was masterful then I’m stuck for words on Wenger’s. Having seen the final levelled the Frenchman, who had described his treatment this season as a ‘disgrace’ in the build-up to the game, instantly introduced Olivier Giroud.

Fast-forward a whole 38 seconds and it was the substitute’s whipped ball which found the head of an unmarked Ramsey, who could not miss, cue Arsenal jubilation once more.

In need of some magic to get going again Chelsea pushed forward and would have had a second if it weren’t for a marvellous stop from second-choice Ospina to deny Costa’s powerful volley. If they were lacking in magic up top then the Blues were finally afforded some luck at the back when Ozil, having done so well to find space in the box, somehow hit the post from eight yards out with the rebound ricocheting off the foot of Courtois and behind for a corner.

Despite Hector Bellerin and substitute Mohammed Elneny passing up late changes the Gunners were once again comfortable in their lead and saw out the closing stages magnificently.

Wenger is yet to make any firm statement on his future at The Emirates, but for now, here are three things we learned from the 2017 FA Cup final…

Wonder for Wenger

Wenger’s seventh FA Cup win as Arsenal manager may well be his sweetest, after the season he has endured the Gooners boss waltzed the Wembley turf like a man relieved.

It may not have any bearing on his future, as the 67-year-old has claimed so often this season, but after the darkest months of his managerial career Wenger can let a smile creep from his usually stern expression.

The former Monaco boss revealed in his post-match press conference that he had “for once” kept hold of his medal, stating that it proved this was a “special moment” on a personal level, read into that what you like.

Disappearing act

Antonio Conte will be wondering exactly what happened to his side which stormed the Premier League when it came to the final.

In truth, the Blues played like a side which had sealed the League weeks ago and had somewhat of an easy ride since.

It will not mar the successes of this title-winning side, however, fans will have headed back to west London knowing that a second double in the club’s history will be much harder to come by next time around.

Ramsey’s return

Welsh international Aaron Ramsey has had a season of stark contrast. Was started out with a lot of ambition after a successful European Championships in France soon, much like the Gunners’ season, derailed and the former Cardiff man was taking a hammering from every corner.

However, with the change to a three at the back from Wenger came freedom, creative licence and a second chance for the No.8, which he more than took.

The 26-year-old, who scored the extra-time winner in 2014’s final against Hull City, has been in fine form ever since the switch, none more so than against Chelsea under the arch.