Aaron Ramsay’s diving header minutes after Diego Costa’s equaliser sealed a superlative Arsenal performance to become the most successful FA Cup team in history with their 13th victory.

Arsene Wenger became the most successful manager in the competition with his seventh victory and it was richly deserved as the Gunners ripped into the champions with pace, power and intent from the first minute to the last.

Alexis Sanchez personified the performance and gave Arsenal the lead in unusual circumstances, tapping in after Ramsay had stopped ahead of him, in an offside position. The assistant flagged instinctively as he expected the Welshman to score an illegal goal but Sanchez was onside and after a quick consultation, referee Anthony Taylor got his first big decision of the day correct and awarded the goal.

They really should have been further ahead with Ozil and Monreal spurning further chances and Per Mertesacker, playing his first full 90 minutes of the season, a colossus in defence, shackling a subdued Diego Costa.

A pulsating match continued to enthrall in the 69th minute when Victor Moses was sent off for receiving a second yellow card for diving in the box, another big decision Taylor got correct as it was easier for the flying full back to stay on his feet rather than take the easy option of collapsing.  The disadvantage didn’t seem to matter four minutes later when Costa sprang to life and equalised at the far post with the unfortunate Mertersacker deflecting the ball past Ospina.

The celebrations had barely died down when it was Arsenal’s turn to cheer when Giroud crossed the ball from the left of the area for the late arriving Ramsay to score his second career winning FA cup final goal.

Speaking after the game Arsene Wenger confirmed that his future plans will be confirmed next week.

“We have a board meeting on Tuesday, and on Wednesday or Thursday it will all be very clear,” he said.