1993 FA Cup Final Replay vs Sheffield Wednesday
Ian Wright's late strike breaks fourteen years of silence at Wembley.
Few fixtures carry the weight of a replay, but the 1993 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday demanded absolute attention. Just five days after a tense 1-1 draw at Wembley on May 15, the Gunners returned to settle the score, finally breaking a fourteen-year FA Cup drought that dated back to 1979 (adding to major trophies won in 1989 and 1991). This match added to George Graham's growing collection of silverware with the club while cementing the defensive steel that would define Arsenal through the decade.
- Competition
- FA Cup Final Replay
- Date
- May 20, 1993
- Venue
- Wembley Stadium (London)
- Result
- Arsenal 2 - 1 Sheffield Wednesday
- Winning Goal Scorer
- Ian Wright
- Man of the Match
- Lee Dixon
Lore & Background
On May 20, the return to Wembley brought a different tension than the first match. Where the initial 1-1 draw had been cautious, the replay demanded an early breakthrough to settle nerves. It became a showcase for Ian Wright's predatory finishing and George Graham's tactical discipline under captain Tony Adams. When Wright scored in the 86th minute—having already netted in the initial fixture—he released emotion that had been building within the club since the late seventies regarding the FA Cup, cementing the 1992-93 season as a genuine turning point.
In Their Own Story
Tension hung heavy over Wembley long before the final whistle. In the 86th minute, Ian Wright found space near the six-yard box, reacting instantly to a defensive mix-up by Sheffield Wednesday. He struck first-time, watching the ball nestle into the net as the crowd erupted in a deafening roar of red and white. For a heartbeat, silence held before the stadium shook with celebration. Wright sprinted toward the corner flag, arms wide, swarmed by teammates whose relief was palpable. The drought was finally over.
Reader's Guide
Held at Wembley Stadium on May 20, 1993, this match remains the only FA Cup Final replay played there since 1912. After five days of speculation following the goalless draw, Arsenal adopted a renewed aggression but relied on defensive discipline to survive until late in the second half. Ian Wright’s breakthrough silenced the opposition, though Sheffield Wednesday pressed hard for an equalizer before Arsenal’s backline held firm. The victory ended a fourteen-year wait for silverware and proved George Graham’s 'Grind' could deliver at the highest level, laying the psychological groundwork for future Double-winning seasons.
Did You Know?
- This was not the first FA Cup Final Replay held at Wembley Stadium; previous replays, including the famous 1982 final replay between Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers, were also played there.
- Ian Wright's winning goal in the replay was his second major cup final goal for Arsenal, having already scored in the initial match on May 15, 1993.
- The match featured two future England figures: Steve Bould (who served as assistant coach for the national team) and Trevor Francis (manager of Sheffield Wednesday), though Francis never managed the national team himself
- Arsenal had not won the FA Cup since 1979, ending a fourteen-year drought in that specific competition.