Chelsea FC goes up against their fellow London side Arsenal in the final of the 2019-20 FA Cup. The game that is being looked forward to by supporters of both sides, will be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Both English sides will certainly be hoping to conclude a season riddled with complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic with a glittering piece of silverware. The Blues ended their Premier League campaign with a victory over Wolves, thereby ensuring Champions League football for next season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, endured a miserable domestic campaign that saw them finishing eighth in the final Premier League standings, missing out on any form of European football for their upcoming season. However, the Gunners have overseen a resurgence in their style of play since the appointment of Mikel Arteta as the North London outfit’s manager.
Both side’s journey to the final of the esteemed domestic cup competition was by no means an easy sail. Arsenal notched up a shocking 2-0 win over Manchester City riding on a brace from star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s side coasted to a deserved 3-1 victory against arch-rivals Manchester United. The Blues simply outclassed the Red Devils during the entirety of the game through a rich brand of attacking football played by the club.
Introducing your #HeadsUpFACup finalists 🙌@Arsenal 🆚 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/Xu49fd5RYi
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 19, 2020
The game on Saturday will be Arsenal’s fourth FA Cup final in a span of seven years, with the Gunners having won the competition on their last three visits to the Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea FC, on the other hand, clinched the trophy back in 2018 with a win against Manchester United, in a game that turned out be Antonio Conte’s last as the Blues manager.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 1st August
Time: 4:30 PM GMT
Venue: Wembley Stadium
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno for the game at Wembley. The German shot-stopper has been sidelined since sustaining a gruesome injury against Brighton last month. Despite returning to training sessions, Leno is not expected to start the game against the Blues.
In the German’s absence, Emi Martinez will start between the sticks for Mikel Arteta’s side. Moreover, the Gunners have confirmed the absence of key players such as Gabriel Martinelli and Shkodran Mustafi for Saturday’s game due to knee and thigh injuries respectively.
For the Blues, however, there are no fresh injury concerns. Midfield starlet Billy Gilmour is a long-term absentee and will be sidelined for the upcoming fixture as well.
N’Golo Kante faces a race to return from his thigh injury in time for the FA Cup final clash against the Gunners. However, even if the Frenchman makes Lampard’s squad for Saturday’s game, it will most likely be as a substitute.
Contract rebel Willian had suffered an injury blow just before Chelsea FC’s last game against Wolves. However, recent reports suggest that the Brazilian attacker may be deemed fit to take the pitch on Saturday against Arsenal.
RECENT FORM
Arsenal FC: W L W W L
Chelsea FC: W L W W L
ARSENAL FC VS CHELSEA FC PREDICTED LINEUP
Arsenal FC: Martinez, Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Tierney, Saka, Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, Pepe, Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette
Chelsea FC: Willy Cabellero; Cesar Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Marcos Alonso; Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Mason Mount; Willian, Olivier Giroud, Christian Pulisic
