It will go down as one of the strangest FA Cup finals on record.
Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea in 2020 was played at a near-deserted Wembley while the Gunners received the trophy on the pitch, instead of climbing the famous steps to the Royal Box for the presentation as is tradition.
Despite fans being prevented from attending the domestic showpiece becaue of Covid, it was a day Matt Smith will never forget.
Aged 19 and without a competitive first-team appearance to his name, the boyhood Arsenal fan was named on the Gunners substitutes bench after Mesut Ozil was left out, external by Mikel Arteta.
After the full-time whistle confirmed the first and – as of right now – only major trophy of Arteta’s reign, Smith received a winners’ medal and had his picture taken with fellow substitute Bukayo Saka on the pitch with the FA Cup.
Six years on and Smith, who now plays in midfield for Wigan Athletic, returns to Emirates Stadium on Sunday when the League One strugglers face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup (16:30 GMT kick-off).
“It was mad really because it was when the whole thing surrounding Ozil was going on,” Smith, 25, tells BBC Sport about his memories of the 2020 final.
“He wasn’t in the squad so I was getting on the bench. I was on the bench for the quarter-final at Sheffield United, the semi-final with Manchester City and then the final.
“When you’re that young you don’t really understand the importance of being part of the FA Cup final or the memories it’s going to give you for the rest of your life.
“It’s only now I realise how grateful I was to be involved in something so special like that.
“I remember getting my suit for the final and it being way too big for me. I didn’t want to say anything because I was young.
“All the other players’ suits were tailored but mine was massive – they must have done it wrong.
“I didn’t make it on to the pitch but that day will live with me forever.”
