After making up for the frustration of missing the 2014 FA Cup Final with a winning goal on Saturday, Theo Walcott says it is important to remember the players who didn't make the match.

Several players who played key roles in the journey to Wembley, including match-winners Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck, found themselves missing out just as Walcott had in 2014, when his colleagues video-called him from the pitch to celebrate their victory.

Having felt the disappointment of missing out first-hand the striker took time during Arsenal's FA Cup victory parade to pay tribute to the players who missed out.

Walcott told Arsenal TV: "We need to remember the players that helped us on the run to the final. It wasn’t just about the players who played here. It’s a whole squad, it’s a family thing and it means a lot to everyone."

A goal-scoring performance in a major final ranks as one of the highlights of the 26-year-old's injury-plagued time at the Emirates and the striker was grateful to those who had helped him return to fitness.

“It’s weird how things come to pass. Scoring the goal with my left foot, the one I’d had knee issues with. I’ve worked really hard, not just me but staff behind the scene and the manager, who has showed a lot of faith in me."

FA Cup Final Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Aston Villa 22 show all FA Cup Final Player Ratings: Arsenal vs Aston Villa 1/22 Wojciech Szczesny: 6 An undoubtedly confident presence yet his belief he can catch any ball into the box inspired nerves when the score was level. Getty 2/22 Per Mertesacker: 7 The big German had more attacking work to do than at the other end but when Villa did manage to get crosses in he comfortably dealt with the limited threat they posed. Getty 3/22 Hector Bellerin: 7 Made the most of the space Ramsey’s forays infield provided to offer a wide alternative to the delicate passing of Ozil and Cazorla infield. Getty 4/22 Laurent Koscielny: 6 Like his colleague he was able to enjoy this Cup final as a spectator, comfortably collecting a series of aimless long balls. Getty 5/22 Nacho Monreal: 6 Grew as an attacking threat when it became clear that Villa would offer nothing to threaten Arsenal’s left. Getty 6/22 Francis Coquelin: 7 : A robust presence in the more physical opening exchanges, he built the platform for a dominant display by his more creative midfield colleagues. Getty 7/22 Santi Cazorla: 9 Dictated play from deep, keeping the ball and moving it to the most dangerous place on the field. A joy to watch as he created chaos from deep. Getty 8/22 Aaron Ramsey: 7 He may not have been as obviously showy as his colleagues but he moved inside to offer his colleagues a passing option. Getty 9/22 Mesut Ozil: 8 Showed his prodigious eye for a pass throughout, finding gaps in the backline before Villa even knew they were there. He made sure Walcott was given plenty of opportunities to show his pace. Getty 10/22 Alexis Sanchez: 9 Capped another magnificent performance at Wembley goal that will continue to draw awe-inspired gasps for generations to come. The perfect ending to a wonderful season. Getty 11/22 Theo Walcott: 8 An outstanding volleyed finish on his weaker foot showed that his abilities as a striker go far beyond raw pace. As Villa’s concentration slipped he was able to get in behind and could have had more. Getty 12/22 Shay Given: 7 Should be remembered for an outstanding point-blank save from a Koscielny header rather than conceding goals he could do nothing about, bar a fourth so late it feels harsh to criticise him for. Getty 13/22 Alan Hutton: 5 A careless early yellow card made a challenging day covering Sanchez into a tortuous one. He was lucky to not be sent off as he dived in with reckless irresponsibility. Getty 14/22 Ron Vlaar: 6 Should not have been beaten to a header by Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal's first but he was one of the few Villa players to emerge with credit, it was not his and Okore’s fault that those in front of him gave Arsenal such space. Getty 15/22 Jores Okore: 6 At times was guilty of watching the ball rather than the man, he did however cover smartly when Arsenal slipped in behind, even keeping up with a pacey Walcott. Getty 16/22 Kieran Richardson: 7 Another to save Villa in the early stages with a wonderful block, he did an excellent job covering when his colleagues allowed Arsenal in behind. A strange decision by Sherwood to withdraw him. Getty 17/22 Ashley Westwood: 4 Ozil must dream of playing against opponents like Westwood when he plays like this, he gave Arsenal’s creative players the space to find holes in his colleague’s defence. Getty 18/22 Fabian Delph: 7 The Villa captain did not deserve to be on the losing side after an all-action performance as he looked to cover for his colleague’s lack of endeavour. Getty 19/22 Tom Cleverley: 4 Another midfielder who was passed by, he had to do more to pressure Coquelin and Cazorla, who passed him by as if he were a training cone. Getty 20/22 Jack Grealish: 4 A dispiriting return to Wembley for the youngster, whose nightmareish first half saw him give the ball away as he tried to emulate the creative brilliance of his opponents. Getty 21/22 Charles N'Zogbia: 3 Scarcely even a presence in the first half he failed to track back for Arsenal’s first. If anything Sherwood made a mistake giving him time to continue his dreadful performance into the second half. Getty 22/22 Christian Benteke: 5 Villa offered so little for the Belgian to feed on that it seems unfair to criticise him, but he allowed Arsenal to build from the back with no pressure. Getty 1/22 Wojciech Szczesny: 6 An undoubtedly confident presence yet his belief he can catch any ball into the box inspired nerves when the score was level. Getty 2/22 Per Mertesacker: 7 The big German had more attacking work to do than at the other end but when Villa did manage to get crosses in he comfortably dealt with the limited threat they posed. Getty 3/22 Hector Bellerin: 7 Made the most of the space Ramsey’s forays infield provided to offer a wide alternative to the delicate passing of Ozil and Cazorla infield. Getty 4/22 Laurent Koscielny: 6 Like his colleague he was able to enjoy this Cup final as a spectator, comfortably collecting a series of aimless long balls. Getty 5/22 Nacho Monreal: 6 Grew as an attacking threat when it became clear that Villa would offer nothing to threaten Arsenal’s left. Getty 6/22 Francis Coquelin: 7 : A robust presence in the more physical opening exchanges, he built the platform for a dominant display by his more creative midfield colleagues. Getty 7/22 Santi Cazorla: 9 Dictated play from deep, keeping the ball and moving it to the most dangerous place on the field. A joy to watch as he created chaos from deep. Getty 8/22 Aaron Ramsey: 7 He may not have been as obviously showy as his colleagues but he moved inside to offer his colleagues a passing option. Getty 9/22 Mesut Ozil: 8 Showed his prodigious eye for a pass throughout, finding gaps in the backline before Villa even knew they were there. He made sure Walcott was given plenty of opportunities to show his pace. Getty 10/22 Alexis Sanchez: 9 Capped another magnificent performance at Wembley goal that will continue to draw awe-inspired gasps for generations to come. The perfect ending to a wonderful season. Getty 11/22 Theo Walcott: 8 An outstanding volleyed finish on his weaker foot showed that his abilities as a striker go far beyond raw pace. As Villa’s concentration slipped he was able to get in behind and could have had more. Getty 12/22 Shay Given: 7 Should be remembered for an outstanding point-blank save from a Koscielny header rather than conceding goals he could do nothing about, bar a fourth so late it feels harsh to criticise him for. Getty 13/22 Alan Hutton: 5 A careless early yellow card made a challenging day covering Sanchez into a tortuous one. He was lucky to not be sent off as he dived in with reckless irresponsibility. Getty 14/22 Ron Vlaar: 6 Should not have been beaten to a header by Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal's first but he was one of the few Villa players to emerge with credit, it was not his and Okore’s fault that those in front of him gave Arsenal such space. Getty 15/22 Jores Okore: 6 At times was guilty of watching the ball rather than the man, he did however cover smartly when Arsenal slipped in behind, even keeping up with a pacey Walcott. Getty 16/22 Kieran Richardson: 7 Another to save Villa in the early stages with a wonderful block, he did an excellent job covering when his colleagues allowed Arsenal in behind. A strange decision by Sherwood to withdraw him. Getty 17/22 Ashley Westwood: 4 Ozil must dream of playing against opponents like Westwood when he plays like this, he gave Arsenal’s creative players the space to find holes in his colleague’s defence. Getty 18/22 Fabian Delph: 7 The Villa captain did not deserve to be on the losing side after an all-action performance as he looked to cover for his colleague’s lack of endeavour. Getty 19/22 Tom Cleverley: 4 Another midfielder who was passed by, he had to do more to pressure Coquelin and Cazorla, who passed him by as if he were a training cone. Getty 20/22 Jack Grealish: 4 A dispiriting return to Wembley for the youngster, whose nightmareish first half saw him give the ball away as he tried to emulate the creative brilliance of his opponents. Getty 21/22 Charles N'Zogbia: 3 Scarcely even a presence in the first half he failed to track back for Arsenal’s first. If anything Sherwood made a mistake giving him time to continue his dreadful performance into the second half. Getty 22/22 Christian Benteke: 5 Villa offered so little for the Belgian to feed on that it seems unfair to criticise him, but he allowed Arsenal to build from the back with no pressure. Getty

The club's focus has already turned to next year's campaign and their attempts to close the gap on champions Chelsea. But Walcott is confident that cup success can lead to league glory.

"We want to do this more and more," Walcott said. "I’ve been at the club a long time and this is the best group we’ve ever had.”