Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties

The FA Cup Final
Saturday 21 May 2005
£1,000,000 to the winning club



Robin van Persie has revealed his penalty in the dramatic FA Cup Final shoot-out yesterday was the first one he has ever taken in his career!

The Dutch striker wasn't even on the list to take a spot-kick for Arsenal when the Final against Manchester United ended 0-0 after extra time. But astonishingly he volunteered at the last minute.

Van Persie explained: "Taking a penalty was very nerve-wracking. It was my first penalty ever as a pro. So I was really excited about it!

"At first Edu was going to take it. But he was a little bit unconfident about it so he went to the trainer. I saw that and went over and said ‘I want to take it’. And he said ‘ok, no problem'.

"Then I had to go to take it. I was shaking, my legs were shaking, but I knew I had to score it. I was really happy when it went in."

It's an amazing story and just the kind of tale that makes The FA Cup so special. And even though van Persie didn't grow up in England he knows all about the tradition of the competition.

He said: "The FA Cup is really important to me. It’s such a big competition in Holland. It means a lot. I have won the UEFA Cup but this is something amazing for me and for the squad too.

"When you are 34 people ask you what you have won and I’m only 21 and I’ve already won some fantastic prizes. It’s brilliant."