"Well, it was almost certain before the match, but now there can be no doubt," Martin Tyler's voice rose above the lingering roar of Wembley.
"Arsenal are through to the FA Cup final! A two-nil lead turned into three with Gabriel's towering header from that corner, and it's game, set, and match here against Crystal Palace."
Beside him, Jim Beglin added softly, "They've been composed, clinical, and controlled throughout. It's a performance worthy of Wembley — and worthy of a place in the final."
Down on the pitch, Arsenal's celebrations carried a quieter pride rather than wild abandon.
Izan, who had been substituted off in the 80th minute with the score still at two-nil, now stood on the sidelines, tracksuit zipped up, watching the last minutes drift away before the referee's final whistle.
He had applauded Gabriel's bullet header with the same grin that had followed him off the pitch, but his focus now was elsewhere.
