28 May, 2017
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that his side were stunned by the outstanding performance of Arsenal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to the Gunners.
"For once I have kept my medal so that means it is a special night for me", he said.
He was all smiles though as he joined the ecstatic celebrations on the Wembley pitch where Aaron Ramsey's late header ensured Arsenal have now won three of the last four FA Cups after an interminable 10-year trophy drought.
"We play as a team and perhaps we weren't all at our best, but we will try again next year".
At the end it was a thrilling climax for Arsenal who claimed their 13th FA Cup triumph thus becoming the most successful team in the competition.
Sanchez, Arsenal's standout player all season, gave the Gunners the flawless start in the 4th minute when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and angled a finish with the outside of his right boot past Thibaut Courtois in Chelsea goal.
The silverware helps salvage something from what has generally been a poor Arsenal campaign, after the Gunners missed the top four of the Premier League for the first time in 19 seasons.
"It's not about popularity, it's about competence", Wenger said after the game.
I'm happy for the manager.
"We must be proud we made it this far", Conte said.
Nevertheless, Chelsea had seemingly ensured the game would go to extra-time when Costa sent a deflected shot past Ospina in the 76th minute.
Referee Anthony Taylor was at the centre of a number of moments that changed the FA Cup final.
Wenger has said in the past that some of the protests staged by fans this season could influence his decision, yet he insists he is not personally affected by the critics but believes it casts the North London club in a negative light.
The 26-year-old scored the victor in the 79th minute, and his Wales global teammate Ledley, whose current contract with Palace runs out in June 2017, has congratulated him. On his return to club soccer, he won the English Premier League with Chelsea this month. Sanchez and Ozil might leave the club, and as the FA Cup final showed, both of them are absolutely vital to this team.
Former Liverpool defender Carragher took to Twitter to highlight where Arsenal were having success against the Premier League champions at Wembley.
