 Arsenal was appearing in the final of the FA Cup for the sixteenth time . They had won the cup eight times previously ( in 1930 , 1936 , 1950 , 1971 , 1979 , 1993 , 1998 and 2002 ) and had been beaten in the final seven times , the most recent in 2001 . By comparison , Southampton made their fourth appearance in a FA Cup final . Their previous best was winning the cup in 1976 , by beating opponents Manchester United . 
