This blog written in 2015 – has been updated statistically to reflect Arsenal’s recent 14th FA Cup win
We’re sure that we will be asked at some point about Arsenal’s record so, we’ve dusted down last year’s blog and updated it. Below is a list of all the FA Cup semi-finals that Arsenal have appeared in. This will be the Arsenal’s 28th appearance at this stage, setting a new record. (This record now stands at 30) And, as an added bonus, programmes from a couple of victories.
No in Sequence | Season | Opponents | Venue | Score |
1 | 1905/06 | Newcastle United | Victoria Ground, Stoke | 0-2. |
2 | 1906/07 | Sheffield Wednesday | St Andrews, Birmingham | 1-3. |
3 | 1926/27 | Southampton | Stamford Bridge, Chelsea | 2-1. |
4 | 1927/28 | Blackburn Rovers | Filbert Street, Leicester | 0-1. |
5 | 1929/30 | Hull City | Elland Road, Leeds | 2-2. |
Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-0. | |||
6 | 1931/32 | Manchester City | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-0. |
7 | 1935/36 | Grimsby Town | Leeds Road, Huddersfield | 1-0. |
8 | 1949/50 | Chelsea | White Hart Lane, Tottenham | 2-2. |
White Hart Lane, Tottenham | 1-0 | |||
9 | 1951/52 | Chelsea | White Hart Lane, Tottenham | 1-1. |
White Hart Lane, Tottenham | 3-0 | |||
10 | 1970/71 | Stoke Cty | Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday | 2-2. |
Villa Park, Aston Villa | 2-0 | |||
11 | 1971/72 | Stoke Cty | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-1. |
Goodison Park, Everton | 2-1. | |||
12 | 1972/73 | Sunderland | Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday | 1-2. |
13 | 1977/78 | Orient | Stamford Bridge, Chelsea | 3-0. |
14 | 1978/79 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 2-0. |
15 | 1979/80 | Liverpool | Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday | 0-0. |
Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-1. | |||
Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-1. | |||
Highfield Road, Coventry | 1-0. | |||
16 | 1982/83 | Manchester United | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-2. |
17 | 1990/91 | Tottenham Hotspur | Wembley | 1-3. |
18 | 1992/93 | Tottenham Hotspur | Wembley | 1-0. |
19 | 1997/98 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-0. |
20 | 1998/99 | Manchester United | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 0-0. |
Villa Park, Aston Villa | 1-2. | |||
21 | 2000/01 | Tottenham Hotspur | Old Trafford, Manchester United | 2-1. |
22 | 2001/02 | Middlesbrough | Old Trafford, Manchester United | 1-0. |
23 | 2002/03 | Sheffield United | Old Trafford, Manchester United | 1-0. |
24 | 2003/04 | Manchester United | Villa Park, Aston Villa | 0-1. |
25 | 2004/05 | Blackburn Rovers | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | 3-0. |
26 | 2008/09 | Chelsea | Wembley | 1-2. |
27 | 2013/14 | Wigan Athletic | Wembley | 1-1* |
28 | 2014/15 | Reading | Wembley | 2-1. |
29 | 2016/17 | Manchester City | Wembley | 2-1. |
30 | 2019/20 | Manchester City | Wembley | 2-0. |
* Won 4-2 on penalties
Arsenal have won 18 ties and lost 9, which bodes well for this season. (now 21 wins) If Arsenal beat Reading they will also surpass the record they hold with Manchester United of 18 (now 21) appearances in the final.
The overall playing record in FA Cup semi-finals (including replays) is: (updated 1 August 2020):
Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against |
39 | 20 | 10 | 9 | 51 | 34 |
The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed we’ve won 21 ties but the table shows only 20 wins. That’s because, by FIFA’s definition, games decided by a penalty shoot-out are deemed to be whatever the result was after 90 minutes or extra-time if it is played. Some people agree, some don’t.
—————–
Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (top right). You know it makes sense.
Or have a look at our other site: The Arsenal Collection for more Arsenal memorabilia.
Copies of our books Royal Arsenal – Champions of the South and Arsenal: The Complete Record 1886-2018 are still available from the publishers.
Looking forward to my 18th FA Cup semi final with the mighty Arsenal on Saturday – 23rd if you include replays.