Arsenal vs Chelsea: 5 factors that will decide who wins the FA Cup final

Arsenal vs Chelsea FA Cup final live stream
Chelsea and Arsenal will compete in the 136th FA Cup final on 27 May

4) Which team has better options off the bench?

Ad
Olivier Giroud Danny Welbeck sub
Wenger has either Danny Welbeck or Olivier Giroud to count on – two different styles to use
Ad

The problem with Conte’s side is that although Chelsea have the best starting XI in the league, he did not get the players he wanted to make up the entire squad. While that is an issue he will tackle when the transfer window opens, he is lucky to still have all his key players available over the course of the season.

Conte has been largely successful because his tactical change has worked to perfection; i.e. his switch to a back-three. But should he encounter a stubborn Arsenal side at Wembley then he will have to look to the bench where the Blues have only Cesc Fabregas, Willian, and Michy Batshuayi who could make the difference in attack. Apart from Fabregas, the latter two are like-for-like replacements (for Costa and Hazard/Pedro).

Ad

On the other hand, Wenger has Danny Welbeck or Olivier Giroud who operate in different ways on the pitch. Welbeck relies on his pace and movement while Giroud on his physicality in the box and holding up play. Alexis Sanchez could also lead the line if required so Wenger has a ‘Plan C’ just in case.

If the match goes into extra-time, a fourth substitution comes into play and Arsenal have plenty more experienced options in Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi (now in his second season as a first team player) while Conte will only find Nathan Ake to call upon. The Italian boss will want to ensure the match is over in 90 minutes as they all did in the previous rounds.

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications