On this day [31/03/15]: Arsenal beat Stoke City 2-0 to qualify for the FA Cup Final in 1971.

When Arsenal met Manchester United in the last eight of the FA Cup, the match was destined to be one for the history books not only because the two clubs had both won the trophy 11-times, but also because of the intensified chase for Champions League spots. Arsene Wenger’s side carried the day with a 1-0 win courtesy of a goal by United old boy Danny Welbeck. Despite the victory, the gaffer is however weary of the fact that we still have to play against the Manchester side in the penultimate game before the end of the Premier League season.

On this day in 1971, Arsenal reached the FA Cup Final after registering a convincing 2-0 win over Stoke City in the semis. George Graham scored the opener 13 minutes into the match while Ray Kennedy capped off a dominant Arsenal afternoon with the second and last of the game right at the start of the second half.

Going by the score line, it was hard to believe that the match – which was played at Villa Park – was a replay and came only four days after the two sides drew 2-2 in a scintillating match at the infamous Hillsborough stadium.

It so happens that former Arsenal prodigy Amaury Bischoff and club legend Horace Cumner were also born on this day. Amaury was born in 1887 while Cumner was born in 1918.

Tune in tomorrow for another ‘On this day…’ post.