Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa: Walcott & Alexis shine to hand Gunners record 12th FA Cup

Both wingers scored before Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud sealed victory as Tim Sherwood's first cup final as a manager ended in a chastening defeat

Arsenal retained the FA Cup as they proved to be far too strong for Aston Villa at Wembley. Theo Walcott opened the scoring with a powerful finish before Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead with a stunning strike from distance early in the second period. Per Mertesacker made the game safe with a header soon after before substitute Olivier Giroud added a late fourth as the Gunners became the most successful side in the competition's history with 12 wins.

Perhaps wary of repeating last season's disastrous start against Hull City, which saw them go two goals behind, Arsene Wenger's side began on the front foot in a frenetic opening 10 minutes and gradually cranked up the pressure on Shay Given's goal with a series of corners and set-pieces. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper - starting a second Cup final 17 years after his first, which also ended in defeat to Wenger's side - was required to claw out Laurent Koscielny's lofted header before Aaron Ramsey got across the returning Jores Okore to ripple the side-netting. Ramsey scooped another effort over soon after, while Villa looked in vain to Christian Benteke as an outlet in a bid to relieve the pressure. However, Given's goal continued to lead a charmed life as Kieran Richardson blocked Walcott's goalbound effort, only for the striker to open the scoring five minutes before the break. Sanchez's header dropped kindly in the box and Walcott made no mistake - ending Villa's resistance with a powerful finish at the near post.

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