David Seaman
Playing for the first time this season in the FA Cup, he spilled the first shot he had to deal with from Le Saux, but Seaman did ever so well to tip over Gudjohnsen's curling shot.

Lauren
Almost gave Arsenal the lead in the 37th minute with a header as he ghosted into the box. Linked well with Wiltord on the right.

Sol Campbell
The England international had a steady game in his first FA Cup final and made some important interceptions.

Tony Adams
Preferred to Martin Keown, the Arsenal captain had too much nous for Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen.

Ashley Cole
Contained the threat from Gronkjaer, though as a result his forages forward were curtailed.

Sylvain Wiltord
Provided plenty of drive from the right of midfield, as well finding time to pop up in the box, but his finishing was rushed.

Patrick Vieira
As usual the Frenchman dominated midfield and provided a typically assured and industrious performance.

Ray Parlour
Produced a goal to rival Charlie George's winner against Liverpool in the 1971 final. It was a strike that also served as a timely reminder to the watching Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Freddie Ljungberg
Perpetual motion. The Swede once again came up with an inspired goal to become the first player in 40 years to score in successive Cup finals.

Dennis Bergkamp
After so many FA Cup final disappointments, the Dutchman had a low-key day. Should have put Arsenal in front but he misguided his header.

Thierry Henry
Never looked like adding to the 29 goals he has scored this season. But at least, unlike last year's final, he finished up with a winners' medal.

Substitutes:

Edu
(Replaced Bergkamp on 72 minutes) Became the first Brazilian player to win an FA Cup winners' medal.

Kanu
(Replaced Henry on 81 minutes) Had little to do apart from pick up a winners' medal.

Martin Keown
(Replaced Wiltord in stoppage time) Enjoyed a stroll on the pitch before the final whistle went.

Chelsea

Carlo Cudicini
Did well to deny Henry early in the first half and again late in the second period. Was rarely troubled until those moments of inspiration from Parlour and Ljungberg.

Mario Melchiot
Made an important block to deny Wiltord in the 15th minute, but Melchiot did not get forward enough to help out Gronkjaer.

Marcel Desailly
"The Rock" brought plenty of solidity to the Chelsea defence and showed great composure bringing the ball out of defence. Chelsea's most impressive player.

William Gallas
Initially provided a solid defensive bulwark with Desailly as the two Frenchmen shackled Henry and Bergkamp. Terry's introduction saw Gallas switch to left-back.

Celestine Babayaro
Replaced by John Terry at the interval after a quiet half. Looked to be struggling for fitness.

Jesper Gronkjaer
Never managed to get the better of Cole, despite having plenty of the ball on the Chelsea right.

Frank Lampard
Another of Chelsea's better performers, his passing and dribbling stood out for them in midfield.

Emmanuel Petit
Petit produced the touch of the game with a sublime flick to Lampard, but the Frenchman did not do enough in the final third of the pitch.

Graeme Le Saux
Lived up to his reckless reputation by becoming the final's first player to be booked for his tackle on Lauren in the second minute.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
The Dutchman never looked match fit, moving awkwardly in the warm-up and limping early on.

Eidur Gudjohnsen
The vaunted partnership with Hasselbaink never quite got going, but the Icelander's dipping shot in the 57th minute did draw a superb save from Seaman.

Substitutes:

John Terry
(Replaced Babayaro at half-time) Failed to make the starting line-up with a virus. Was at fault for Arsenal's second goal.

Gianfranco Zola
(Replaced Hasselbaink on 68 minutes) The Sardinian came on moments before Parlour scored and was subsequently unable to influence the course of the match.

Boudewijn Zenden
(Replaced Melchiot on 77 minutes) Like Zola, Zenden was powerless to turn the game Chelsea's way.