SOCIAL distancing went totally out of the window as Arsenal fans partied long and hard into the night after their record-breaking 14th FA Cup win.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck twice and later dropped the trophy as the Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1.
Arsenal Fans celebrate outside Wembley after winning the FA CupCredit: AFP or licensors
Supporters forget social distancing at WembleyCredit: Reuters
Fans let off smoke bombs and party on the streetsCredit: AFP or licensors
Fans gather outside Wembley after 90 minutesCredit: Reuters
Supporters near Wembley celebrate together despite fears over coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association
Boozed-up supporters at Wembley sing and chant as Arsenal see off ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal fans crowd together to celebrate the shock victoryCredit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal fans gather together outside the Emirates to celebrate their victoryCredit: AFP or licensors
Arsenal fans celebrate on the streetsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And fans celebrated the win in style but there were fears of superspreading the coronavirus as supporters got up close and personal.
But after winning the trophy against all the odds, who could blame them.
Many thought the Gods had conspired to hand Mikel Arteta’s side a victory and the Spaniard’s first trophy as boss only nine months after quitting as Manchester City No2.
The big stand-out was the shock sending off of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, which gave the Blues a mountain to climb.
Arsenal fans finished the season with a trophy against all oddsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Supporters at Wembley hail the winCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Victorious supporters take their drinks on to the street to celebrateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This came when Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka went down as if shot by sniper and footage showed him diving – with SunSport ref Mark Halsey claiming he should have been shown a yellow card for simulation.
The Gunners also escaped with a handball outside the box from Emiliano Martinez which could have seen a red card produced.
Arsenal fans were given something to cheer thanks to Aubameyang’s brilliant doubleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Frank Lampard’s men were also hit by an injury to key man Willian BEFORE the game, ruling him out.
Meanwhile, they lost scorer Christian Pulisic, defender Cesar Azpilicueta and sub Pedro all to injury.
It really wasn’t their day.
But that will not stop Arsenal – as Aubameyang and Co celebrated in the dressing room.
Supporters say ‘Arsenal are back’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Arsenal fans cheer for Arteta’s men against ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fans celebrate amid smoke bombsCredit: AFP or licensors
Arsenal players celebrate with the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Aubameyang drops the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Aubameyang cannot believe it as the Cup is droppedCredit: AP:Associated Press
The fans could not resist hugging and toasting a win after defeating both Chelsea – a team that thrashed them in the Europa League final last season – and Manchester City.
City are many fans’ and pundits’ tips to win the Champions League but they were no match in the semi-final against the Gunners.
Arteta has emerged from the shadows of behemoth Pep Guardiola and shown that he is a force to be reckoned with.
A tactical genius, he knew he could exploit the Blues down their flanks.
And so it proved, as the Gunners hit back from Pulisic’s early goal to win.
The key sending off of Mateo Kovacic, second leftCredit: AP:Associated Press
Footage shows Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez outside the box but he escaped without punishmentCredit: BBC
With a world class striker in their ranks, they always had a chance.
And so it proved with Aubameyang’s penalty, when it seemed he was all set up to strike it the other way, and then the Gabonese striker’s second, a piece of sublime magic.
But can they keep him now?
It is clear he wants to break Mesut Ozil’s £350,000-a-week pay packet – or he will be off.
Aubameyang refused to commit his future to Arsenal when asked after the match.
Watch Aubameyang drop FA Cup as two-goal Arsenal hero celebrates at Wembley
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
