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A fierce Les Ferdinand shot was parried by Seaman. The ball rebounded to Iversen and although his mishit shot was going wide defender-cum-striker Doherty reacted instinctively and directed a header just inside the post.
The turning point of the game arrived when Sol Campbell was injured as he cynically brought down Ray Parlour who was about to burst clear of the defence.
Whilst he was off the field receiving treatment an unmarked Patrick Vieira was able to glance a Robert Pires free-kick past the diving Neil Sullivan. Campbell was unable to continue and was replaced by Ledley King.
Arsenal continued to create and then waste numerous chances with Pires, Lee Dixon, Ray Parlour and Sylvain Wiltord all culpable.
The Gunners carried on in the same vein in the second half forcing Neil Sullivan to produce a string of excellent saves and for a time it appeared that it was going to be one of those days for the hapless Gunners.
But then sixteen minutes from time Vieira found Wiltord in space on the right and his measured cross was perfectly placed for the unmarked Robert Pires to tap into the unguarded goal for a well deserved winner.
In the second semi-final at Villa Park Wycombe belied their Second Division status with a battling performance that kept Liverpool at bay until the 78th minute.
In a game of few chances Michael Owen looked the most likely to break the deadlock but he was thwarted on several occasions by Martin Taylor in the Wycombe goal.
With Wycombe carrying little threat in front of goal themselves the game appeared to be subsiding to a goalless draw until substitute Emile Heskey threw himself at a pinpoint Steven Gerrard cross to bury the ball in the Wycombe net.
Four minutes later Liverpool made the game safe with an exquisite free-kick from Robbie Fowler.
There was still time however for the Charboys to half the deficit when Keith Ryan’s mishit lob beat Westerveld all ends up but they couldn’t force an equaliser as Liverpool played out time in the Wycombe half.
