5 Wembley talking points

Ref’s history with Wenger

Did referee Anthony Taylor remember his previous with Arsene Wenger when he made the decision to allow Alexis Sanchez’s contested goal? Taylor’s confrontation with the Arsenal manager in January led to Wenger getting a four-match ban.

Sanchez does the double

Sanchez became the first player since Didier Drogba to score in two different FA Cup finals when he struck early on. It also took his Wembley goals record to seven in six matches. It does seem odd that Arsenal would consider selling such a big-game player.

Per makes happy return

Per Mertesacker’s performance must rate as the greatest FA Cup comeback from a German since Bert Trautmann played on with a broken neck for Manchester City in the 1956 final. Mertesacker’s last start before yesterday was 393 days earlier (v Norwich) when Louis van Gaal managed Manchester United and Leicester City were still dreaming of becoming Premier League champions.

Champs look chumps

Chelsea’s first-half showing was more reminiscent of the shambolic way they lost 3-0 at The Emirates in September than the side that went on afterwards to steamroller the rest of the Premier League. Forgetting to put on their black armbands for the first half wasn’t meant to be disrespectful to the victims in Manchester but did symbolise an unusually sloppy attitude from Antonio Conte’s men.

Beach beckons Kante

Footballer of the Year N’Golo Kante saved his worst for last. He lacked his normal energy, was booked and then let Aaron Ramsey get away to score Arsenal’s second. He is one man who needs and deserves a holiday.