 As there were no further goals , the match was decided by a penalty shoot @-@ out . Wright and Denis Irwin missed their penalties ; the decisive penalty , taken by Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman , was saved by his opposite number , Peter Schmeichel . Arsenal manager George Graham admitted his surprise over how the game was decided and thought both clubs would share the trophy ; his counterpart Alex Ferguson , though delighted with his team 's victory , felt the sudden death aspect was unnecessary . 
