Arsenal VS Chelsea: Will Arsenal rise to the occasion to secure Europa League spot with a win?

Arsenal have one more chance to secure European football next season as they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday August 1(kick-off 7.30pm).

The winner of the FA Cup is guaranteed a spot in the Europa League group stages for the following season and there will be a few teams with one beady eye on Saturday’s August 1 final.

For Arsenal, who finished eighth in the Premier League this season, it’s really quite simple – they need to win to book their place in the Europa League group stages for the 2020/21 campaign.

It could have a massive effect in who they can attract in the summer transfer window and also which players could leave – Mikel Arteta has already said that winning the FA Cup could help convince Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay.

If Chelsea wins, their spot in the Europa League will be deferred to the next highest-placed finish in the Premier League with Frank Lampard’s side having already secured a Champions League spot through their own league finish.

This would see Tottenham into the Europa League group stage next season with Wolves entering into the Europa League qualifying rounds – which Spurs are currently set to do – taking the place secured by Manchester City when they won the Carabao Cup.

The winner of the FA Cup will also face Liverpool in the Community shield at Wembley on Saturday August 29 2020.

Olivier Giroud has scored 16 FA Cup goals since his debut in the competition in January 2013. Only Sergio Aguero has scored more in that time. Giroud – a four-time FA Cup winner – loves this competition.

He loves Wembley too, labeling it ‘my garden’ after scoring in Chelsea’s semi-final win over Southampton at the national stadium in 2018. The Blues went on to beat Manchester United in that final and Giroud – who scored against United in this season’s semi-final – is undefeated at Wembley since 2012.

The Frenchman has become a key player for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard since the restart and will be a real danger for his former side Arsenal on Saturday, according to Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour.

Saturday’s final represents the final chance for Arsenal to secure European football next season, but it is also a chance for Lampard to secure a trophy in his first season at Chelsea.

Source: Sky Sports