Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final this Saturday, and somehow this game doesn’t induce as much excitement and expectation as their last game of the season against Everton did. Maybe the outcome is pretty much known to everyone, or maybe everyone knows that a win or a loss wouldn’t change anything for the betterment of the club.
The North-London side finished out of the top four for the first time in 20 years and are preparing for the Europa League next season, which means they would be facing sides from countries most fans don’t know even exists; and of course, Thursday night football. The club has communicated to the fans slashing the ticket prices by a considerable amount and a sense of perishing has spread in and around the Emirates Stadium.
However, as is often said in football, “you are as good as your last game”, and Arsenal would want to give their fans three months of happiness by winning the FA Cup, which has been rightfully theirs. Of course, Chelsea have been the best side this season and although Arsenal’s injury problems from their last game don’t keep them in an advantageous position, their record in the FA Cup has been unmatchable.
Possible Arsenal XI vs Chelsea
Defence
Petr Cech is likely to get the nod ahead of David Ospina. The Columbian might not be at Emirates next season with a likely departure doing the rounds, but Wenger isn’t willing to gamble with that in the FA Cup final. The Czech shot-stopper has been at his very best of late and will be Arsenal’s biggest assurance at the back going into the game.
With skipper Laurent Koscielny suspended for the game following his mindless tackle on Enner Valencia in the match against Everton, Wenger is in huge crisis to fill the gap. The second best centre-half in the squad, Shkodran Mustafi, hasn’t yet recovered from his head concussion with a late fitness test scheduled.
The season is over for Gabriel Paulista, whose horrific knee injury is sidelining him for six to eight weeks, minimum. It leaves Wenger with Rob Holding, Nacho Monreal and Per Mertesacker as the central defence options. Mertesacker hasn’t played for 90 minutes this whole season and could be a big risk, but he seems like the only option left.
Midfield
The wing-backs are likely to be Hector Bellerin and Kieran Gibbs. However, Gibbs has a slight thigh problem and if he doesn’t make it for the game, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be deployed after he trained with the team last day.
The central midfield is likely to be taken by Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka. Although stopping Eden Hazard would be difficult for the Welshman, who is not very sound defensively as his attack, his service up front could be vital.
Attack
The boss confirmed the availability of Alexis Sanchez after he was subbed off early in the game against Everton. He will start alongside Mesut Ozil, who had a brilliant game against Chelsea at the start of the season and would like to repeat it.
After Marcus Rashford exposed David Luiz’s weakness to agile forwards, Danny Welbeck is the likely starter for the game over Olivier Giroud.
