This appearance of the same two sides in the final of both of England's domestic knock-out tournaments in the same season had never happened before, and would be the only time until 2022.

This was his fourth goal in FA Cup finals at Wembley, just one behind the record-holder Ian Rush.

The game went into extra time, and with two minutes of the second half remaining, central defender Andy Linighan scored with a header from a Paul Merson corner.

Linighan had played most of the game with a broken nose after Mark Bright had struck him in the face with his elbow.

[3][4] The two clubs had already contested the season's League Cup final, a match which Arsenal had won 2–1.

During extra time in the replay, Alan Smith received the only yellow card of his professional career.