FACT FILE: A guide to Arsenal’s Women’s FA Cup final appearances | OneFootball

Sunday sees Arsenal’s long-awaited return to the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final with The Gunners set to face London rivals Chelsea in the rescheduled 2020/2021 edition.

The North Londoners have a proud history in the competition but their latest appearance in the Wembley showpiece provides them with a tough task with opponents Chelsea being recognised as one of the best clubs in European football.

Ahead of the fixture, FAWSL Full-Time have reviewed Arsenal’s previous appearances in Vitality Women’s FA Cup finals and here are all of the facts and figures behind those fixtures.

16 – Arsenal have appeared in a record number of Vitality Women’s FA Cup finals. The Gunners have won 14 and lost two of their 16 finals. Only Everton and Chelsea have defeated Arsenal in finals while The Gunners’ final appearance tally of 16 is three better than the next best record which is held by Doncaster Rovers Belles.

5 – It has been a little over five years since Arsenal have lifted the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. Their last success came back in the 2016 final when Danielle Carter’s early goal fired them to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

45,423 – Arsenal’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup final tie against Chelsea in 2018 was played out in-front of a record crowd of 45,423 at Wembley. The two sides could contest the latest final with another record crowd in attendance.

4 – Prior to their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the 2018 final, Arsenal had kept four consecutive clean sheets in Vitality Women’s FA Cup finals.

1993 – Arsenal’s first Vitality Women’s FA Cup final success came in the 1993 final when they defeated Doncaster Rovers Belles at The Manor Ground in Oxford. Michelle Curley, Naldra Ball and Deborah Bampton got the goals for The Gunners that day.

2006 – Arsenal’s biggest Vitality Women’s FA Cup final victory to date came in the 2006 final when they defeated Leeds United 5-0 at The New Den. Julie Fleeting, Rachel Yankey, Kelly Smith and Lianne Sanderson scored the goals for the North Londoners while Leeds United’s Lucy Ward also put through her own net.

3 – Julie Fleeting holds the record of being the only player to score a hat-trick for Arsenal in a Vitality Women’s FA Cup final. The player netted her treble as The Gunners defeated Charlton Athletic 3-0 in 2004.

0 – Arsenal have never failed to score in a Vitality Women’s FA Cup final. They have netted in all 16 final appearances.

The 2020/2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup final takes place at Wembley Stadium at 2pm on Sunday. Tickets remain on sale and can be purchased by clicking here.