HISTORY will forever record that the 2003 FA Cup was won by Arsenal - but the magical legacy it has left in Southampton will never be forgotten.

The football match itself may well have been edged by the Gunners, but the day belonged to Saints and their army of truly incredible fans.

They invaded Cardiff, turned the Millennium Stadium into a glorious technicolour sea of yellow and blue and many, even without tickets, made the journey to Wales and crammed into the many pubs around the ground.

In so many ways the winners of this cup final were the Saints fans - they will probably be remembered longer for their emotional and passionate display than Arsenal will for their victory on the pitch.

The whole occasion proved what football can do - unite people and bring them together in order to share a wonderful experience.

This was about more than a game of football or the winning of a trophy. This was about pride, enjoyment and a city brought closer together than it has been for 27 years.

To win the FA Cup would have been a glorious and fitting end to the day but in some ways the spirit that will carry on and the feelings that will be remembered forever by everyone involved made it less important.

While the fans put in a performance they can be proud of, the players responded in like on the field with a whole hearted and committed display - they could not have done any more.

It was a brave showing that typifies their passion, spirit and togetherness but in the end the blunt truth was that Arsenal were just too good.

For all of Saints' hard work, the Gunners had that cutting edge, finesse and lethal streak that was the crucial difference between the teams.

As early as the 23rd second Thierry Henry, wonderful throughout, left Claus Lundekvam unable to even foul him and Antti Niemi was forced to make an important save.

Gordon Strachan's decision to play Chris Baird at right-back, push Paul Telfer to right midfield and drop Fabrice Fernandes raised some eyebrows.

But Strachan knew that to play Arsenal at their own game would have been suicide - Saints needed to keep it tight and hope for that bit of luck or bit of magic to win the day.

Sadly, despite good possession, a few good chances and a few good spells, it never came.

Although Saints were tactically astute enough to keep Robert Pires quiet for the most part, his attacking flair, along with that of Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg, was always a major danger to Saints.

On eight minutes Bergkamp fired in a shot from an acute angle which Baird cleared off the line and three minutes later Henry fired straight at Niemi.

But then Saints had probably their best period of the game when, between 12 and 23 minutes, they might have scored.

Michael Svensson had the two best chances with a header caught by David Seaman and a spinning shot smacked over the bar.

The most remarkable story of the day was that of Baird, making only his second ever Saints start and looking totally at home.

Seaman had to again be alert to turn the 21-year-old's curling long range shot round the post but, when he was beaten by James Beattie on 21 minutes, the offside flag was already raised.

But as the half drew to a close, Arsenal stepped up a gear and they took the lead in the 38th minute.

Henry fed Bergkamp on the right side of the area and the Dutchman squared for Ljungberg. His shot was blocked by Lundekvam but the ball hit Ljungberg again and fell to Pires who controlled and fired home.

Niemi got a hand to it but it was almost impossible to keep out.

It could have got much worse before half time when Pires fired over the bar from similar range and Lundekvam had to hack clear following Henry's effort at goal. But Saints went in just one down at the break and with a fighting chance - the decisive factor was whether they could get a goal without committing so much that they conceded another and with it the game.

However, after Beattie's header had flashed across goal, it was Arsenal that continued to create the best openings in the second half with Niemi having to produce a good save from Bergkamp and then watch as Ljungberg side-footed the rebound into the side netting.

Niemi pulled out another inspired stop when Henry sprinted clear of the defence and fired a shot across the Finnish number one who dived full-length to tip the ball round the post.

But he didn't spend too much longer on the pitch as he tore his calf muscle clearing the ball and was stretchered off to be replaced by Paul Jones, who saved well at the death when Henry's shot deflected off Lundekvam.

As the game moved into the 75th minute it was make or break time for Saints and Gordon Strachan introduced Jo Tessem for Anders Svensson.

The Norwegian was immediately presented with a good opening but, with the ball coming at him quickly, he couldn't make the necessary contact to worry Seaman. Then Arsenal's big keeper dramatically turned away Brett Ormerod's volley after a marvellous control on the chest and spin.

Deep into injury time Saints almost snatched an equaliser when Beattie's header from Matt Oakley's corner was stopped by Ashley Cole on the line.

Shortly after, the final whistle blew and the dream was over.

But while it may have felt as though the cup was snatched away, what will never be lost is the emotions it stirred up in all those at the ground or cheering the boys on at home or in the pub.

In the end the team didn't quite have enough but this was a brilliant day in the history of Southampton, a day to stand up and, most importantly of all, a day to be proud of and to treasure forever.