Chelsea and Arsenal face-off in the Europa League final on Wednesday
night at the Baki Olimpiya Stadionu,Baku in Azerbaijan.
Chelsea will look forward to lift the trophy to sum up a good campaign
under new manager Maurizio Sarri while Arsenal will seek for a win to secure
Champions League football next season.
This has been a season to remember for English football as finals of
Europe's elite club competitions has all English affairs for the first time in
history - Liverpool vs Tottenham in the Champions league and Chelsea vs Arsenal
in the Europa League.
Chelsea have had quite a good season under Maurizio Sarri, finishing
third in the league and playing in the Carabao final which they lost to
Manchester City on penalties. The Blues would hope to lift the trophy for the
first time since 2012-2013 season, which will be Sarri's first silverware as a
manager.
The West London side had a straightforward pathway to the final, after
topping Group L, walking over Malmo, Dynamo Kyiv and Slavia Praha in the
knockout stage. They were made to work hard by Eintracht Frankfurt in the
semi-final but the Blues found their way to the final via penalty shootout.
Arsenal on the other hand, finished fifth in the Premier League in Unai
Emery's debut campaign as manager. The Gunners have thier hopes of playing in
the Champions League next season pinned on the upcoming contest in Baku. Unai
Emery's side needs a win to ensure Champions League football next season.
Emery has a record in sight, as he would be the first manager to win the
trophy four times having won it on three occasions with Sevilla, if his
side is able to beat their London rivals .
The North London side topped Group E, but was made to work hard to
overcome deficits against Bate Borisov and Stade Renne in Round 32 and 16
respectively. Arsenal then beat Napoli and Valencia by bigger margins in the
quarterfinal and semi-final, respectively to book their place in the final.
This will be the third meeting between the two London clubs this season
with both winning one each in the previous two.
By Enin Emmanuel
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