Arsenal player ratings: Alexis Sanchez and Per Mertesacker shine in FA Cup Final

LM Alexis Sanchez 8.5 

It’s a tough call between him and Cazorla, but you could easily give the “Man of the Match” to Alexis Sanchez for yet another dangerous performance in an Arsenal shirt. There aren’t many better players in the world who are better than the Chilean attacker, who was simply unplayable for the Villa defense. His work rate was, as usual, sublime, and he consistently threatened with his dribbling, drawing five fouls.

Alexis finished the game with a goal and an assist, and his strike in the 50th minute was an absolute blinder that had many of his out of our seats. I’m glad he decided to take that shot on, because he put so much pace on it and curved in unpredictability so that Given had no chance before it hit the underside of the crossbar perfectly before going in; Sanchez couldn’t have hit that any better from long-range. Sanchez takes defenders on and wins with ease, and Alan Hutton simply had no answer.

Next: Walcott shines