Is final match Chelsea vs Arsenal , EPL vs EPL.
The first all-English Europa League (EL)/UEFA Cup final since 1971/72 will see a London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea in Baku, Azerbaijan – a city that will necessitate a 9,000 km round trip for rivals based just 10 km apart.
Chelsea, winners of the EL in 2012/13, head into the final with just one loss in 12 competitive games (W7, D4, L1), including a penalty shootout win over Frankfurt in the semi-final of this competition. That success marked 14 EL games unbeaten this term and 17 overall – a competition record. Yet no side has ever won the EL without losing a game.
None of Chelsea’s EL games this season (W11, D3) saw them losing at half-time, while eight of them produced a clean sheet for the ‘Blues’.
Needing to win to claim a Champions League place, Arsenal’s home and away wins in the EL semi-final over Valencia – after going a goal down in each – form part of four unbeaten competitive games (W3, D1), three of which saw them win with a -1 handicap.
Arsenal have kept just six clean sheets in 27 competitive games away from the Emirates Stadium this season, but four of those did come in the EL – part of nine in total for them in this competition this term.
The ‘Gunners’ have never won a European match versus another English club (D2, L4), including one loss to Chelsea, but can boast a superior H2H record versus the Blues in the last eight competitive meetings (W4, D3, L1).
Players to watch: Eden Hazard (CHE) hasn’t scored in ten European club competition appearances – but his last goal came against Qarabag in Baku!
Arsenal have lost just two of the 22 competitive games that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored in this season.
Stat attack: Chelsea have only been behind at half-time in six of their 62 competitive games this season, but all six occasions saw them go on to lose the game.
Only four of Arsenal’s 14 EL games this season saw a level half-time score.
Arsenal’s Unai Emery is the EL’s most successful coach with three titles (all with Sevilla).
Will not play
Hudson-Odoi C.
(Achilles Tendon Injury)
Bellerin H.
(Knee Injury)
Loftus-Cheek R.
(Achilles Tendon Injury)
Holding R.
(Knee Injury)
Rudiger A.
(Knee Injury)
Mavropanos K.
(Knock)
van Ginkel M.
(Knee Injury)
Mkhitaryan H.
(Inactive)
Ramsey A.
(Thigh Injury)
Suarez D.
(Groin Injury)
Questionable
Kante N.
(Knee Injury)
Welbeck D.
(Ankle Injury)
Match Information
Referee: Rocchi G. (Ita),
Venue: Baku Olympic Stadium (Baku)