Arsenal to field the strongest side for Europa league final against Chelsea but has Emery got a surprise up his sleeve. In discussion on various Arsenal forums, fans seem convinced that a victory over Chelsea will be dependent on a number of factors. Firstly, much will depend on the performances of Aubameyang and Lacazette.
There are now just 24 hours to go.#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/uisBFA4i9W
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 28, 2019
Secondly, Arsenal need to contain the threat posed by Madrid bound Eden Hazard. Contain Hazard and the job becomes infinitely easier. Thirdly, in terms of strategy, if Emery wants to batter his London rivals, he needs to make David Luiz a target for a full 90 minutes.
Emery has been doing his homework ever since Chelsea joined them in the Europa League final and he will have meticulously looked at how to isolate the threat and mount his attack for a forth successive Europa league final win.
There are a number of players that pick themselves including Cech in goal, despite the controversy surrounding ‘Chelsea-gate’
Then there’s the central defensive pairing of Sokratis and Koscielny, with the Frenchman presumably featuring in his last game for the club. Torreira and Xhaka should be favoured in advance of the defence and will be tasked with keeping Hazard on a short leash.
That’s seven of out the starting 11, so now it’s a case of filling in the blanks. No Mkhitaryan against Chelsea, probably implies a start for Ozil in an arrowhead forward line. Monreal will probably make up a back three with Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac in a group of four across the middle in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Having said that, Kolasinac’s defensive capabilities can sometimes desert him and although it’s s radical move, it might be worth a gamble putting Danny Welbeck on the right wing as an advanced wing back to plunder forward and run the 32 year old Luiz ragged.
https://twitter.com/FutbolBible/status/1133395969557573632?s=19
My feelings on Welbeck as a striker are well known. He needs ten chances to score one goal but as a threat heading down the line and cutting in, he would cause heart palpitations at the heart of the Chelsea defender. Allowing the two forwards additional space and Ozil the room to find the pockets for Arsenal’s forays in the Europa League final.
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Failing that and depending on circumstances, Iwobi and Welbeck could be introduced into the second half in the Europa League final to cause problems on either flank. My suggestion of a start for Welbeck is unconventional but it’s the final and sometimes, you have to roll the dice. Aside from this, I fully expect Willock and Saka to be included in the subs and fingers crossed that Saka gets a run out for 15 minutes to finish off the job.
Injury wise, there’s no change for Arsenal in the Europa League final with Holding, Bellerin and Ramsey out. For Chelsea, N’Golo Kante appears highly likely to miss the game through a knee injury.
Kick off :- 30th May 2019 – 00:30 IST
Predicted team For The Europa League Final
Cech, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang.
Key men for Arsenal:-
Lacazette and Torreira.
🔴 Final preparations for the Arsenal 💪#UELfinal | @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/MwI7oxOzBe
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 28, 2019
Key men for Chelsea:-
Eden Hazard and *Hudson-Odoi (should he be selected)