With inspiration stemming from their predictable genius from Sweden and the more unlikely source of Romford, Arsenal moved tantalisingly within touching distance of the Double in Cardiff.

Sven-Goran Eriksson saw Ray Parlour, one man he has steadfastly overlooked from his World Cup plans, enable the Gunners to break the deadlock in a largely humdrum FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Indeed, while some may wonder why Parlour was once nicknamed 'Pele from Romford' by Marc Overmars, his sublime 70th-minute strike - only his second goal of the season - was of the highest quality.

If Parlour is under-rated by Eriksson, however, there is surely no danger of the England coach committing the same error with Freddie Ljungberg.

The Swedish international is on fire right now, with his red hair acting as a stark warning sign for England's World Cup hopes against Eriksson's native country.

With his seventh goal in six games, he matched the brilliance of Parlour's finish as he clinched victory with 11 minutes left to leave Arsene Wenger just one point from the Double.

Arsenal had dominated last year's final against Liverpool only to succumb to Michael Owen's late double-strike, but this time they had reversed the outcome in a similar manner.

Chelsea largely dominated possession in search of their first trophy under Claudio Ranieri but lacked the attacking bite required at the vital moment.

Some may point to Arsenal occupying the 'lucky' dressing-room, but they have clearly been the best English side this season and winning the title at Old Trafford would be the perfect climax for Wenger.

In many ways, winning this one-off encounter against a Chelsea side able to rise to the biggest occasions could actually have been their biggest remaining hurdle.

However, Chelsea's relief at Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink passing a fitness test was tempered by the swift realisation that he was well below full sharpness, making only a fraction of his normal runs off the ball.

That ensured Chelsea lacked a cutting edge to complement their early determination to impose themselves on the game as Frank Lampard outshone his anonymous midfield partner, Emmanuel Petit.

Not that Petit, up against his former club, was alone in that. After all, if even Patrick Vieira is giving the ball away then something must be wrong.

Indeed, apart from Lampard, only Marcel Desailly rose above the early mediocrity with a towering defensive display and full-blooded charges forward.

Otherwise, despite the array of overseas talent, it was about as appetising as opening a vintage bottle of Bordeaux to find it corked.

While Graeme Le Saux, who was booked as early as the second minute, and Lampard tested out David Seaman from long-range, it was not until midway through the first-half that the first real chance fell to Arsenal.

Vieira conjured a lofted through-ball to Dennis Bergkamp, who had been as anonymous as the Frenchman but this time had managed to ghost into space. His flicked header looped over Carlo Cudicini but drifted wide, and the potential spark fizzled out.

While free-kicks were killing the flow of the game and both sides lacked penetration down the flanks, Lauren still came close as his diving header skimmed the bar.

Indeed, while Chelsea continued to dominate long periods of possession before and after the interval, it was actually Arsenal who were creating the real danger.

Then again, having missed a hatful of chances in last year's final, Henry was still unable to rediscover his dynamic touch in Cardiff as he was repelled by Cudicini's agility just after the restart.

Chelsea had to reshuffle, with John Terry, ruled out initially with a virus, replacing Celestine Babayaro, but they came again.

Eidur Gudjohnsen's effort was tipped over, Le Saux shot wastefully on his wrong foot but inspiration was still required.

Cue the introduction of Gianfranco Zola for Hasselbaink with 23 minutes left. Or, rather, cue a flash of genius from Parlour just three minutes later.

The Arsenal midfielder was allowed to advance unchallenged to the edge of the penalty area and let fly with a curling strike, which Cudicini could only deflect into the top corner.

Chelsea brought on Boudewijn Zenden for Mario Melchiot as their final roll of the dice but they were soon out of it.

Cudicini denied Henry with a superb block after a break by the impressive Ashley Cole but he could do nothing to stop Ljungberg producing a sublime finish with 11 minutes left after a superb run from the half-way line.

It was a fitting conclusion as Ljungberg has summed up everything this Arsenal side stands for. Pace, penetration and poise. Manchester United - and England - beware.

Teams

Arsenal: Seaman, Lauren, Campbell, Adams, Cole, Wiltord (Keown 90), Parlour, Vieira, Ljungberg, Bergkamp (Edu 72), Henry (Kanu 81).

Subs Not Used: Dixon, Wright.

Booked: Vieira, Henry.

Goals: Parlour 70, Ljungberg 80.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot (Zenden 76), Gallas, Desailly, Babayaro (Terry 45), Gronkjaer, Lampard, Petit, Le Saux, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink (Zola 68).

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Jokanovic.

Booked: Le Saux, Terry, Gudjohnsen.

Att: 73,963

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).