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

GK Wojciech Szczesny 6.5

He hasn’t really re-ignited a keeper controversy or anything, but Szczesny really came out to play last night as the team’s starting goalkeeper in cups. Even though he wasn’t forced into making any saves due to Aston Villa’s midfield’s complete inability to create chances for Christian Benteke, it was also Szczesny who played a key role in ensuring that the Belgian attacker wasn’t able to add a cup final goal to his resume as he looks to potentially move to a big club in the summer transfer window.

The Polish international was assertive throughout the match, constantly getting out of the six-yard box to deliver strong punches and, at one stage, beat Benteke to the ball in the air. Villa’s only real strategy on offense was to send crosses into the area for their 1.90-meter striker, but Szczesny, who only made one poor call when coming out, was on his game. That’s the kind of goal-keeping Arsenal needed in this contest, and he delivered.

Next: Keeping the flank quiet