Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Breaking down every battle in the FA Cup Final

Arsenal</a> side, smarting from their worst finish in 25 years and looking to get revenge for their 4-1 drubbing in Baku, comes up against a young and unpredictable Chelsea who are flying high with the renewal of Champions League football, despite a number of Achilles heels that continue to bog down their progress. It’s going to be a corker.</p> <p>Despite the gap in the table, both sides are in very similar runs of form and success, ranking fourth and seventh since the restart. Both teams have lost in matches they shouldn’t — Brighton and West Ham — and won matches as an underdog — Manchester City, for both, and Liverpool. It’s an intriguing matchup. With that in mind, we break down the individual and tactical battles that will take place on Saturday afternoon.</p> <div id="attachment_102991" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-102991 size-large" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1224654466-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Mikel Arteta" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Mikel Arteta (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>The tactics</h4> <p>Both sides will likely line up in a 3-4-3 formation. Frank Lampard’s side will want to dominate possession, and Arsenal may implement a similarly counter-attacking style as against Manchester City and Liverpool. It’s a long-standing tale, but an important one nonetheless.</p> <p>Chelsea will likely look to continue the journey they started against Wolves, playing a 3-4-3 with some serious danger out wide. Speedy winger Christian Pulisic and a free-flowing Mason Mount will likely cause the Gunners backline no end of troubles. Both are in a stunning run of form and will come out guns blazing.</p> <p>Furthermore, the wing-back options of Reece James and Marcos Alonso will likely be used to overload the wings and cause issues off of crosses. They can also to drift inside to challenge the midfield and play balls into the channels. This dual-threat will need watching, and Arsenal’s wingers will have to track back in order to cover that danger.</p> <p>As learned from previous London Derby’s, Jorginho is the danger man in the midfield, and closing him down will have to be a part of Arteta’s tactical setup. However, he’ll likely do so without sacrificing the virtual wall of meat that is <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=dani+ceballos%22>Dani Ceballos </a>and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a>, who have been excellent screens for the back five.</p> <p>Expect<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22> Alexandre Lacazette</a> to play a very similar role to match against Manchester City, where he effectively piggybacked Ilkay Gundogan until the German was subbed for a marginally more effective Rodri. That change will also allow <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=pierre+emerick+aubameyang%22>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=nicolas+pepe%22>Nicolas Pepe</a> to push higher and cut inside, making room for overlapping wing-backs.</p> <p>That system will allow Arsenal’s speed and decisiveness on the counter to overwhelm an athletic but error-prone Chelsea backline. If <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22>Mikel Arteta</a> does attempt to control possession in the game, expect a cagey affair where the chances Chelsea convert (or don’t) will make the ultimate difference. The Blues are excellent on the counter.</p> <p>Set-pieces will also be key for both teams. Arsenal struggle to defend them and Chelsea have a glut of tall players and dead-ball wizards. It is a potent offensive combination, and one the Gunners must be wary of.</p> <p>However, that knife cuts both ways. As of the end of June, Chelsea are the second-worst team in Europe at defending corners. and although Arsenal’s aerial presence is lacking, the Gunners should look for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=david+luiz%22>David Luiz</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=rob+holding%22>Rob Holding</a> in the middle as it’s likely they’ll be able to find space more easily than they would against other teams.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal Defence vs. Chelsea Attack </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_96966" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-96966 size-large" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1196506082-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: David Luiz of Arsenal is closed down by Willian of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on December 29, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>Arsenal Defence vs. Chelsea Attack</h4> <p>The first and most telling battle of this game will likely be a battle of the backups. In other words, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=emiliano+martinez%22>Emi Martinez</a> versus Willy Caballero.</p> <p>Both men are touted as the second-choice keepers, and yet their managers have relied on them to safeguard the net in the most important games — Lampard has had more choice than Arteta, but the choice is the same. Caballero has been a steadfast presence and is trusted far more than the flighty Kepa Arrizabalaga.</p> <p>Martinez, meanwhile, has been an absolute rock behind the Arsenal backline, making wonderful saves look easy and has begun to force the question about who may start next season, something nobody expected when he first stepped on for an injured Bernd Leno.</p> <p>The defensive matchup more generally is frightening for both sides. Both backlines will deal with some serious pressure during the match, and it is unlikely that they will be able to deal with it.</p> <p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=david+luiz%22>David Luiz</a> hit record heights this season, as the first player to concede five penalties in a Premier League season. It is not a stellar record. He is an excellent defender in the air — he looked like prime Alessandro Nesta against Manchester City — but that’s not where Chelsea will threaten the backline.</p> <p>Luiz’s first step is concerning, especially when married with a lack of concentration and overall awareness. Chelsea are a threat when their centre-forwards make darting runs to the front post and meet a low cross, a trademark move of both Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham. Giroud will likely start up front for Chelsea. He is a consummate goal poacher, which is a problem in the making.</p> <p>And the player who is likely to create the majority of those crosses is Christian Pulisic. His one-on-one matchup with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=rob+holding%22>Rob Holding</a> is frightening. Holding is strong and composed, but he is noticeably weak on his left foot and slow off the mark. Pulisic is in electric form at the moment. It is easy to envisage him running rings around Holding.</p> <p>The spaces behind the wing-backs will also be an area of concern for both sides. The barnstorming Marcos Alonso will keep <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=hector+bellerin%22>Hector Bellerin</a> busy, which could isolated Holding against Pulisic, while Reece James has a terrific delivery and will need to be closed down in wide areas. lt could be a very long 90 minutes.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfield vs. Midfield </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_97875" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-97875" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1201032537-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Mason Mount of Chelsea is challenged by Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>Midfield vs. Midfield</h4> <p>The final cog in Chelsea’s front three will likely be Mason Mount, who will line up as a right-winger but with the freedom to roam into the middle and instigate counter-attack and scoring position from the No. 10 position. Frank Lampard’s golden boy will likely come in direct contention with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=granit+xhaka%22>Granit Xhaka</a>.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>Xhaka has clearly worked to improve his positional sense in an attempt to offset his lack of athleticism, and for the most part, it has been effective. But Mount’s inside-right drifting runs means the deep-lying Swiss will be tasked with marking him more often than <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=kieran+tierney%22>Kieran Tierney</a>, whose job it should be were Xhaka not instructed to stay back so the Scot can contribute further forward on the pitch.</p> <p>This could work in Arsenal’s favor. Mount operates poorly against physicality and composure, and Xhaka has demonstrated the ability to display both, on his day. So as long as the Swiss operated as a screen the defence and doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him, it could be a long day at the office for Chelsea’s right side.</p> <p>The same could be said for Mateo Kovacic. Employed by Frank Lampard as a hybrid of a pivot and box-to-box midfielder, the ex-Real Madrid man will be battling <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=dani+ceballos%22>Dani Ceballos</a> for most of the game. Given Kovacic’s propensity to rush passes in tight quarters, his former teammate is likely to draw him deep as Mikel Arteta has instructed Ceballos to stick by Granit Xhaka out of possession consistently since the restart.</p> <p>Kovacic will likely be afforded the most space of any Chelsea midfielder, but he is at his most effective when he has space to drive into. Against a tightly packed midfield, Arsenal should be able to handle his creative skills before looking to exploit the space that opens up behind him on the counter-attack.</p> <p>Finally, should <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=bukayo+saka%22>Bukayo Saka</a> start at left wing-back for Arsenal, it will be fascinating to see how he competes with Reece James. He and James will have their hands full with one another. Both players have explosive speed, excellent close control and ball skills, and are as tenacious defensively as they are going forward.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal Attack vs. Chelsea Defence </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_103094" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-103094" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254265465-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette (Photo by Mike Egerton/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>Arsenal Attack vs. Chelsea Defence</h4> <p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a> has been at his best in the false-nine role that he has played in recent weeks. It looks very different in and out of possession. Out of possession, his battle will track Joringho. Like he did against Manchester City and Ilkay Gundogan, he will drop into the midfield and shadow the Italian wherever he goes.</p> <p>When Jorginho isn’t able to dictate the game, the Chelsea possession scheme breaks down almost instantly, with their sparse midfield often unable to pick up the scraps. That’s where Lacazette and Arsenal will be able to spark their counter-attack, a crucial component if they are to win this match.</p> <p>In possession, Lacazette will often come face-to-face with his countryman Kurt Zouma. This is where the Gunners have a real advantage. Zouma lunges into tackles and gives away silly fouls with frightening regularity. For a player like Lacazette, who uses his low centre of gravity and strength to spin defenders, Zouma’s aggressive defensive style is ideal.</p> <p>Zouma has looked revitalized in the past few matches as the central defender in the back three, but he was bullied against both West Ham and Liverpool, two teams with centre-forwards — Michail Antonio and Roberto Firmino — who excel with their back to goal, using their strength and footwork to regulate possession from the middle of the park. Lacazette has a serious opportunity to emulate such impact.</p> <p>The final matchup is twofold: the speed and skill of <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=pierre+emerick+aubameyang%22>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=nicolas+pepe%22>Nicolas Pepe</a> against Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta. If Lampard’s previous team selections are an accurate precedent, Pepe will have the run against Rudiger, and Aubameyang will get to drive at Azpilicueta for 90 minutes. That’s an amazing prospect.</p> <p>Chelsea’s backline have been extremely susceptible to the counter-attack this season, especially when the space behind their advanced wing-backs is exposed. With Zouma sucked into the midfield to deal with Lacazette, the outside-in runs both Pepe and Aubameyany specialize in could be the ideal tool to carve them apart. Furthermore, the looping crosses Pepe loves to deliver to the back post will more often than not fall to Aubameyang’s feet should he slip Azpilicueta’s attention.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal: 5 extra players to sell if they lose FA Cup final" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/30/arsenal-5-extra-players-sell-gunners-lose-fa-cup-final/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/31/arsenal-chelsea-breaking-every-battle-fa-cup-final/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/30/arsenal-5-extra-players-sell-gunners-lose-fa-cup-final/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal: 5 extra players to sell if they lose FA Cup final </a> </div> </div> <p>And should Tierney and Saka deliver crosses to the feet of Pepe, the Ivorian will likely be open. Rudiger has a bad habit of ball-watching on crosses and Pepe has shown how lethal his finishing can be when he’s allowed to drift in off the right. Chelsea are just as weak as Arsenal across the backline, and the Gunners have the pieces to cause them problems.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">