Arsenal became the most successful club in FA Cup history as they outclassed Aston Villa at Wembley to earn Arsene Wenger a record-equalling sixth triumph.
The Gunners retained the trophy they won against Hull City a year ago to put Wenger's total of wins alongside George Ramsay - who previously stood alone with the record for his victories with Villa between 1887 and 1920.
Arsenal's 12th final victory was never in doubt as they dominated with a magnificent display, the only surprise being that it took until five minutes before half-time for their control to be rewarded with Theo Walcott's goal.
Alexis Sanchez confirmed that superiority with one of the great FA Cup final goals shortly after the restart - a swerving, dipping 25-yard thunderbolt that flew high past startled Villa keeper Shay Given.
Sherwood's thoughts on 4-0 loss to Arsenal in FA Cup final
Just as it looked as if Villa would somehow survive until half-time, Arsenal got the breakthrough they deserved, Walcott thumping a finish past Given at his near post after Sanchez headed down Nacho Monreal's cross.
Before Villa could regroup after half-time, Sanchez effectively settled the contest with a magical FA Cup final moment, sending a bullet finish high past Given with the keeper barely having time to react.
Villa, pretty much as they had looked from the first whistle, were shell-shocked and Mertesacker was allowed by Christian Benteke to rise unmarked and head in the third.
The formalities were completed with virtually the last kick of the game when Giroud turned in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross in front of a rapidly-emptying Villa end, with their supporters having had little more than a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals to sustain them.
Wenger took the applause of Arsenal's fans before the trophy was presented - the manager who has had so many doubters delivering his answer with another piece of silverware.
Theo Walcott has scored seven goals in seven starts for Arsenal this season
The previous eight FA Cup finals at the new Wembley had been won by a one-goal margin
Alexis Sanchez became the second Chilean to score in an FA Cup final, after Newcastle's George Robledo in 1952
Arsenal have scored 11 times against Villa this season and are yet to concede
Southampton will be playing in European competition for the first time in 12 seasons after Arsenal's FA Cup victory gave the Saints a Europa League spot.
The Gunners thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 in the final at Wembley on Saturday.
Southampton, who came seventh in the Premier League, qualify as Arsenal had already secured their Champions League place by finishing third in the league.
The Saints lost 2-1 on aggregate to Romanian side Steaua Bucharest in the first round of the Uefa Cup in 2003-04.
Ronald Koeman's side will enter the Europa League at the third qualifying round stage, needing to win two two-legged matches to qualify for the group stages of the competition.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United will be in the Champions League tournament, while Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham, who qualify through their position in the Fair Play table, join Southampton in the Europa League.
Southampton's first competitive game of the 2015-16 season will now be on 30 July, before the second leg on 6 August. The Premier League season begins on 8 August.
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