Pires strike keeps Cup in cabinet

Arsenal - 1 Southampton - 0 It is as hard for Arsenal to be ordinary as it is for other sides to be spectacular. While going about the mundane business of shielding the lead in this final, they looked like a man doggedly formulating a sentence in a foreign language.

Arsene Wenger's side are fluent only when in possession. The four minutes of stoppage-time at the Millennium Stadium were a pocket guide to Arsenal. They filled much of it by sending the ball on an elaborate tour of the Southampton half and, despite the intention to suffocate the game, the sheer technique was entertaining.

When the team descended to coarse pragmatism, they were soon in bother. When Thierry Henry decided to waste a few moments by bottling up play at the corner flag, Southampton shortly had their opportunity to go on the attack. Arsenal were slow to clear, conceded a corner and had Martin Keown ranting at the defenders around him.

The side, so stylish only a few instants before, would then have been dragged into extra-time if Ashley Cole had not kneed James Beattie's header off the line.

Arsenal had given a recap of their entire season. In part, they are engrossing to watch because they have no killer instinct. Despite the speed and deadly grace, they often spare their enemies. By leaving games in the balance, they let the Premiership tip against them. Those careless draws that cost them the title are still buzzing inside their minds.

Ensuring that they did not bungle the match with Southampton on Saturday was as important to this squad as becoming the first club in 21 years to retain the FA Cup.

The victory was well merited and there were passages, particularly as the interval approached, when they promised to trounce Gordon Strachan's team. Robert Pires's goal could have been the turning of the ignition key that sent Arsenal roaring through this final, but Southampton's roadblocks were substantial.

By leaving the moody, creative Fabrice Fernandes on the bench for all bar three minutes, Strachan courted accusations of timorousness. It is difficult to fault him, all the same, for surmising that Southampton could not afford to give the holders scope. As it was, the inexperienced Chris Baird did well.

Southampton, with their discipline and competitiveness, were a great credit to Strachan, but not much of a threat to Arsenal. With David Seaman, as captain, making what might be his last appearance for the Highbury club, the FA Cup code of corniness did demand, however, that the goalkeeper produce one pivotal save.

Substitute Jo Tessem headed the ball down in the 84th minute and Brett Ormerod's angled drive was brushed across the face of goal by the glove of the 39-year-old.

In truth, however, Seaman was generally well protected as the precious historic artefact he is. Arsenal took everyone by surprise by being sensible.

Gilberto Silva gave his best performance in months, and the only alarm came when Keown, a doubt for the final, tugged up his shorts to rub at his thigh, but the veteran soldiered on. The unyielding display of Oleg Luzhny, out of position at centre-back, was an even heavier disappointment for Strachan.

Arsenal's finest performer of all was Dennis Bergkamp. A contract for a further year at Highbury is in the works, but he was taking no risks. The Dutchman, 34 yesterday, acted as if he would never wear the club's colours again. The pass that he struck in the 11th minute was ravishing and ruthless, even if Henry dithered before shooting. It was also Bergkamp who made a diagonal run, after 38 minutes, which was the basis of the goal.

Henry slipped the ball to him on the right and he contorted himself to nip a cut-back at the ideal angle. Although Freddie Ljungberg's drive was blocked by Claus Lundekvam, Pires struck the rebound low and Antti Niemi, who was later replaced because of a leg injury, could not keep the ball out.

ARSENAL: Seaman, Lauren, Keown, Luzhny, Cole, Pires, Parlour, Silva, Ljungberg, Henry, Bergkamp (Wiltord 77). Subs Not Used: Taylor, Kanu, Toure, van Bronckhorst. Booked: Keown, Henry. Goals: Pires 38.

SOUTHAMPTON: Niemi (Jones 66), Baird (Fernandes 86), Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Bridge, Telfer, Oakley, Anders Svensson (Tessem 75), Marsden, Ormerod, Beattie. Subs Not Used: Williams, Higginbotham. Booked: Beattie, Telfer, Marsden, Michael Svensson.

Referee: G Barber.