2002 FA Cup Final Arsenal were appearing in the final of the FA Cup for the fifteenth time, and for the second consecutive year. They had won the cup seven times previously (in 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993 and 1998) and were beaten in the final seven times, the most recent in last season's showpiece event. By comparison, Chelsea were making their seventh appearance in a FA Cup final. The club won the cup three times (1970, 1997 and 2000) and lost the same number of finals (1915, 1967 and 1994). Arsenal and Chelsea had previously met fourteen times in the FA Cup,
2011–12 FA Cup qualifying rounds 64 clubs took part, 40 having progressed from the Third Round Qualifying and 24 clubs from Conference Premier, forming Level 5 of English football, entering at this stage. The lowest-ranked side to qualify for this round was Level 10 club Hebburn Town. † – After extra time Winners from Fourth Round Qualifying advance to First Round Proper, where clubs from Level 3 and Level 4 of English football, operating in The Football League, first enter the competition. See 2011–12 FA Cup for a report of First Round Proper onwards. The FA Cup Archive 2011–12 FA Cup qualifying rounds The 2011–12