Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Arsenal won a penalty shoot-out to lift the FA Cup after a final that was dominated by Manchester United.
Jens Lehmann made the crucial save from Paul Scholes as the destination of the trophy was decided on penalties for the first time in its history.
United were left empty-handed after Wayne Rooney hit the post and Freddie Ljungberg deflected Ruud van Nistelrooy's header on to the bar.
Jose Antonio Reyes was sent off before Patrick Vieira's deciding penalty.
United were in control for almost the entire match, but German goalkeeper Lehmann was in inspired form, saving brilliantly from Scholes in extra-time and then producing the stop that won the Cup for Arsenal.
Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney and Roy Keane were on the mark for United in the shoot-out, but Arsenal's spot-kicks were flawless.
Lauren, Ljungberg, Robin van Persie and Ashley Cole were on target before captain Vieira stepped forward to score.
United sprang two surprises in their starting line-up, with Roy Carroll preferred to Tim Howard in goal and Ryan Giggs left on the bench in favour of Darren Fletcher.
Arsenal selected Philippe Senderos ahead of Sol Campbell in central defence, and the youngster was quickly under pressure as United pressed.
Ronaldo escaped the attentions of Lauren on the left flank, and his cross found Scholes unmarked but his finish was uncharacteristically wayward.
Arsenal were leaving Dennis Bergkamp isolated up front, but the ploy was unsuccessful as the Gunners had little attacking joy in the opening half.
United had one early scare when Carroll dashed from his line and misjudged a long ball from Senderos, but Reyes was unable to take advantage.
Rio Ferdinand had the ball in the net after 21 minutes after Jens Lehmann blocked Rooney's drive with his legs, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Rooney then brought a fine save from Lehmann when he turned a stinging drive over the top after good work by Van Nistelrooy.
Rooney was in good form again but couldn't break through for United
United dominated the early stages of the second half, with only a desperate tackle from Kolo Toure stopping Rooney before Ronaldo fired narrowly off target from 20 yards.
Ronaldo was tormenting Lauren, and eventually the Cameroon defender was booked after 61 minutes following a succession of fouls.
And it almost proved expensive as Ronaldo fired the resulting free-kick only inches over with Lehmann beaten.
Arsenal then had their best chance when United failed to clear a free-kick and Robert Pires shot over.
Wenger made a change after 64 minutes, replacing Bergkamp with Ljungberg.
Rooney came closest to breaking the deadlock with an audacious attempt to beat Lehmann at his near post, but the Arsenal keeper recovered and got a slight touch on to the upright.
Van Nistelrooy was then inches away from connecting with Ronaldo's cross as United continued to dominate.
Keane had a glorious chance to win the Cup for United with five minutes left when Lehmann misjudged Ronaldo's corner, but Vieira provided a crucial block.
And seconds later Ljungberg miraculously cleared Van Nistelrooy's header off the line and up on to the bar as Arsenal hung on desperately.
Giggs came on for Fletcher at the start of the extra time - but it was Arsenal who finally posed their first serious threat seven minutes after the re-start.
Mikael Silvestre was harshly penalised for fouling substitute Robin van Persie, and the Dutch youngster forced a fine diving save out of Carroll from the free-kick.
Lehmann rescued Arsenal again when he blocked Scholes on the the turn, before Van Nistelrooy missed United's best chance, heading wide of an open goal from six yards.
As the game entered the dying seconds, Reyes was sent off for fouling Ronaldo having earlier been booked.
Then came the penalties - and the miss by Scholes that proved decisive.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Cole, Fabregas (Van Persie 86), Vieira, Silva, Pires (Edu 105),Bergkamp (Ljungberg 65), Reyes.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Campbell.
Sent Off: Reyes (120).
Booked: Cole, Lauren, Reyes, Vieira.
Man Utd: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea (Fortune 77), Fletcher (Giggs 91), Keane, Scholes, Ronaldo, van Nistelrooy, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Gary Neville, Smith.
Booked: Silvestre, Scholes.
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).