FA Cup Final; Saturday, 27th May; Wembley, London; KO: 5:30 pm BST (10:00 pm IST)
Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the two-decade tenure of Arsene Wenger and are getting ready for the Europa League next year. But their season is not yet over as they have a great chance of finding some silverware in this disappointing campaign when they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final this Sunday.
The Blues beat local rivals Spurs for a place in the final and having already lifted the Premier League title, will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet. Wenger has a few injury concerns ahead of this tie but here is the predicted lineup that Arsenal might play for this final:
Team News:
Skipper Laurent Koscielny will miss this game through suspension, thanks to the red he saw against Everton in the last game of the league campaign. He will join Gabriel Paulista, who is also sidelined for this tie. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs are facing a race to fitness while Santi Cazorla remains the long-term absentee for Wenger.
Expected lineup (3-4-3):
Defense:
First choice shot stopper Petr Cech should be used in place of David Ospina for this all important final. He will hope to put in a strong performance against his former side. Wenger should stick with his three-man backline and should use Rob Holding on the right side of the back-3. The youngster has been decent but he will be partnered with Per Mertesacker in the middle of the backline as three first choice centre backs are now injured at the Emirates.
Nacho Monreal has done a decent job on the left side of the back line and he should complete the defensive line for Arsenal in this tie.
Midfield:
Image Credit: Getty Images
Granit Xhaka has done an excellent job in the last couple of month and is an automatic starter for Wenger. He should play alongside Aaron Ramsey, who has also stepped up his game in recent times.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is not fit yet and Hector Bellerin should take his place at right wing-back. Kieran Gibbs has done a good job on the other flank and should take his place as a left wing-back, as he is expected to be declared fit for this tie.
Attack:
Former La Liga duo Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will act as the two playmakers behind the striker. The duo needs to be at their best if Arsenal are to even post a challenge on the night. Olivier Giroud has not been able to show consistency and Danny Welbeck should be preferred over him for this final.
Here is how they would lineup:
