04/05/2002  Arsenal 2 Chelsea 0
 
With inspiration stemming from their predictable genius 
from Sweden and the more unlikely source of Romford, Arsenal 
moved tantalisingly within touching distance of the Double in 
Cardiff.

Sven-Goran Eriksson saw Ray Parlour, one man he has 
steadfastly overlooked from his World Cup plans, enable the 
Gunners to break the deadlock in a largely humdrum FA Cup 
final against Chelsea.

Indeed, while some may wonder why Parlour was once 
nicknamed 'Pele from Romford' by Marc Overmars, his sublime 
70th-minute strike - only his second goal of the season - was 
of the highest quality.

If Parlour is under-rated by Eriksson, however, there is 
surely no danger of the England coach committing the same 
error with Freddie Ljungberg.

The Swedish international is on fire right now, with his 
red hair acting as a stark warning sign for England's World 
Cup hopes against Eriksson's native country.

With his seventh goal in six games, he matched the 
brilliance of Parlour's finish as he clinched victory with 11 
minutes left to leave Arsene Wenger just one point from the 
Double.

Arsenal had dominated last year's final against Liverpool 
only to succumb to Michael Owen's late double-strike, but this 
time they had reversed the outcome in a similar manner.

Chelsea largely dominated possession in search of their 
first trophy under Claudio Ranieri but lacked the attacking 
bite required at the vital moment.

Some may point to Arsenal occupying the 'lucky' 
dressing-room, but they have clearly been the best English 
side this season and winning the title at Old Trafford would 
be the perfect climax for Wenger.

In many ways, winning this one-off encounter against a 
Chelsea side able to rise to the biggest occasions could 
actually have been their biggest remaining hurdle.

However, Chelsea's relief at Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 
passing a fitness test was tempered by the swift realisation 
that he was well below full sharpness, making only a fraction 
of his normal runs off the ball.

That ensured Chelsea lacked a cutting edge to complement 
their early determination to impose themselves on the game as 
Frank Lampard outshone his anonymous midfield partner, 
Emmanuel Petit.

Not that Petit, up against his former club, was alone in 
that. After all, if even Patrick Vieira is giving the ball 
away then something must be wrong.

Indeed, apart from Lampard, only Marcel Desailly rose above 
the early mediocrity with a towering defensive display and 
full-blooded charges forward.

Otherwise, despite the array of overseas talent, it was 
about as appetising as opening a vintage bottle of Bordeaux to 
find it corked.

While Graeme Le Saux, who was booked as early as the second 
minute, and Lampard tested out David Seaman from long-range, 
it was not until midway through the first-half that the first 
real chance fell to Arsenal.

Vieira conjured a lofted through-ball to Dennis Bergkamp, 
who had been as anonymous as the Frenchman but this time had 
managed to ghost into space. His flicked header looped over 
Carlo Cudicini but drifted wide, and the potential spark 
fizzled out.

While free-kicks were killing the flow of the game and both 
sides lacked penetration down the flanks, Lauren still came 
close as his diving header skimmed the bar.

Indeed, while Chelsea continued to dominate long periods of 
possession before and after the interval, it was actually 
Arsenal who were creating the real danger.

Then again, having missed a hatful of chances in last 
year's final, Henry was still unable to rediscover his dynamic 
touch in Cardiff as he was repelled by Cudicini's agility just 
after the restart.

Chelsea had to reshuffle, with John Terry, ruled out 
initially with a virus, replacing Celestine Babayaro, but they 
came again.

Eidur Gudjohnsen's effort was tipped over, Le Saux shot 
wastefully on his wrong foot but inspiration was still 
required.

Cue the introduction of Gianfranco Zola for Hasselbaink 
with 23 minutes left. Or, rather, cue a flash of genius from 
Parlour just three minutes later.

The Arsenal midfielder was allowed to advance unchallenged 
to the edge of the penalty area and let fly with a curling 
strike, which Cudicini could only deflect into the top 
corner.

Chelsea brought on Boudewijn Zenden for Mario Melchiot as 
their final roll of the dice but they were soon out of it.

Cudicini denied Henry with a superb block after a break by 
the impressive Ashley Cole but he could do nothing to stop 
Ljungberg producing a sublime finish with 11 minutes left 
after a superb run from the half-way line.

It was a fitting conclusion as Ljungberg has summed up 
everything this Arsenal side stands for. Pace, penetration and 
poise. Manchester United - and England - beware.