Arsenal v Chelsea: FA Cup final odds, statistics, history, team news, kick-off time & TV channel
Here's all you need to know for Arsenal v Chelsea in the FA Cup, including the kick-off and television details, the latest odds, statistics, roads to Wembley and memorable meetings.
By Scott Francis
Arsenal and Chelsea will battle it out for the final major domestic trophy of the season in the FA Cup final at Wembley, kicking off 1730 GMT on Saturday May 27.
Arsene Wenger is looking to add glory to an otherwise below par season thus clinching the Gunners status as the most successful team in the FA Cup, while Antonio Conte could complete a double should his Blues go onto win the Premier League.
We take a look at both sides' roads to Wembley, the latest Sky Bet odds, their respective histories in the FA Cup and previous meetings while the team news, our betting tips and essential opta stats will also appear here later in the week.
FA Cup Final Special Contents
1. When and where to watch
2. Betting tips & Sky Bet odds
3. Roads to Wembley
4. Arsenal & Chelsea in FA Cup finals
5. Previous FA Cup encounters
6. Memorable goals
7. Arsenal v Chelsea team news
8. Opta Statistics
9. Alex Keble Five-Star Tactics
10. #RequestABet specials
When is the FA Cup final and what channel is it on?
The FA Cup final kicks-off at 1730 BST on Saturday May 27 and will be screened on both BBC One and BT Sport 2.
Betting tips & Sky Bet odds
While the supposed demise of the FA Cup is probably exaggerated, and one of the big sides tends to take it seriously enough to win, Saturday's final is the first since 2012 to feature two of the Premier League's elite.
Whether that adds to the spectacle will depend on your own point of view, but Arsenal fans know better than most that having a strong favourite doesn't guarantee a one-sided final, even if they did thrash Aston Villa a year after they'd come from behind to beat Hull 3-2.
When it comes to punting, however, there can be no doubt that more options are revealed by a game which should in theory be fairly close to call.
Yes, Chelsea are the best team in England, and Arsenal have fallen some way behind, but the Gunners have signed off in flying form and have won this competition twice in three years.
That they're 2/1 to lift the trophy would therefore come as a surprise, were it not the consequence of the key information at hand: Arsenal will be without at least two, probably three of their centre-backs, including the only one who can be termed world-class.
This is a serious problem and it becomes hard to see how Arsenal will cope with a confident, fluid Chelsea side, one which has no obvious weaknesses. The Blues come into this in equally strong form and their own seven-match winning run has seen them score 24 goals. This isn't a side to take on without a drilled defence.
What's more, the Gunners are no longer capable of dominating games in the way they once did, a way which might once have kept the pressure off a makeshift back-line. Chelsea will have plenty of opportunities to get at the likes of Per Mertesacker, who has featured for little more than half an hour in the last year, and are not likely to pass them up.
Antonio Conte's side will of course have to deal with Alexis Sanchez, expected to feature despite being withdrawn with a hamstring complaint in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Everton on Sunday, but this will be his 51st start for Arsenal this season and there's certainly a question mark as to how effective he can be as we approach June.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's participation is far less certain and while Aaron Ramsey looks close to his best again, Arsenal will go into this game far too dependent on him, Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, from whom they need the type of performance only players of his calibre can produce, but one which has been lacking far too often in the big games.
The ongoing mystery surrounding Arsene Wenger's future is a further concern for a side who are under pressure to deliver some form of consolation at the end of a disastrous campaign, which ended in their first failure to secure Champions League qualification under the Frenchman.
That Manchester United won the Europa League in midweek might act as some kind of inspiration but that's stretching things somewhat and the reality is it will take Arsenal's performance of the season - better than their 3-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates - to lift this trophy.
And while they're at least in form, Wenger's side started winning when their top-four hopes had all but disappeared. In other words, when the pressure was off, and when all of their opponents had next to nothing to play for, including United who by this time had shifted their focus to Europe.
Granted, Arsenal's upturn does coincide with a switch in formation, so there's a tactical element to justify their improvement. However, playing three at the back is all well and good when you have options. It seems likely that the success of the change is undermined by a lack of classy defenders, a problem which Arsenal must deal with this summer.
Truth be told, Arsenal's Premier League campaign all but ended with a 2-0 defeat to Spurs in their last meaningful game, and while they had previously shown something of a spine to earn their place in this final, both Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny were excellent against Manchester City that day.
With both out and Shkodran Mustafi near certain to join them on the sidelines, this is a second-rate defence for an under-pressure team against opponents whose season would be called a resounding success even in the aftermath of a heavy defeat here.
Chelsea have no new injury concerns, and there's little to suggest that they'll ease off having won the title - their results over the last few games of the season suggest it's business as usual. In fact, they even hint Chelsea are more dangerous now the shackles are off.
Conte will also be determined to avoid a repeat of his first season in charge at Juventus, in which they were unbeaten in Serie A but limply lost the Coppa Italia final to Napoli.
There are similarities to be drawn with Arsenal's situation here - Napoli had finished fifth, one point off fourth, following a difficult spring run - but they're coincidental.
So, Chelsea should have no trouble scoring and it becomes a question of whether Arsenal can keep up. It's this dynamic - the likelihood that Arsenal have to risk exposing their frail defence - that undermines a long-established trend in FA Cup finals, for at least one side to fail to score.
Seventeen of the last 23 finals have involved a clean sheet for at least one of the two sides, a 5/4 chance here, but perhaps the fact that the figures are steadily coming closer together is symptomatic of English football's apparent distaste for organised defending.
Whatever the case, it would make more sense to back Chelsea to keep a clean sheet (7/4) or to win to nil (23/10), because if this Arsenal defence can keep out Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, it will be an almighty surprise.
And what of Michy Batshuayi? Here's a player who could even be on Arsenal's radar this summer, should Chelsea consider selling to a rival club rather than, say, Newcastle, as has been suggested.
The Belgian has taken time to make an impact since his arrival almost a year ago, but four goals over the closing three games of the season confirm the potential he has and his pace could frighten the life out of Mertesacker and co, who would arguably be more comfortable against Costa's robust threat.
Clearly, Conte prefers the Spaniard - that much has been made clear - but Batshuayi's form, and the fact he started the semi-final against Spurs, suggest there's at least an outside chance he gets the nod here.
Should that be the case, he'd be worth getting on-side in the man-of-the-match market at 14/1 - Costa is just an 11/2 chance - whereas little has been given away by quotes of around 6/4 to find the net given that he'd be a runner if coming off the bench.
Conte has these welcome problems to dwell upon, whereas his opposite number has to piece together a line-up for what could still be the final game of his Arsenal adventure, now well into its third decade.
Fifteen years have passed since Ray Parlour inspired Arsenal to victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. How Wenger wishes he could call upon a centre-back pairing even close to the quality of Tony Adams and Sol Campbell now.
With Rob Holding and Mertesacker potentially holding fort, a near-full-strength Chelsea will have no excuses and it's only the get-the-job-done personality of their manager which should lead us away from handicap markets to the most straightforward of them all.
Back Chelsea to beat Arsenal, without the need for extras. The best team in the country should be too good for a weakened version of the fifth.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal
Premier League champions Chelsea are unsurprisingly favourites at 4/9 to complete the double by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.
Sky Bet make Arsenal 7/4 to get their hands on the famous trophy for the third time in four seasons and end a difficult campaign on a high note.
In the 90 minutes betting, the Blues are 3/4 favourites, while the Gunners are 15/4, with the draw priced at 11/4.
If you think the showdown will go the full distance, then you can back either side to win on penalties at 13/2 - or 14/1 if you specify which team - while it's 11/2 that victory is sealed in extra-time.
Click here to check out all of Sky Bet's FA Cup final odds!
Roads to Wembley
We take a look at how both teams made their way to Wembley.
ARSENAL
Third round: Preston 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign started with a hard fought victory away at Deepdale, having to come from behind to a goal from Preston’s Callum Robinson. The Lillywhites continued to have chances, but Aaron Ramsey punished the Sky Bet Championship club for failing to capitalise and Olivier Giroud finished the game off.
Fourth round: Southampton 0-5 Arsenal
The Gunners simply strolled to success against a much changed, youthful Southampton side. Former Saints man Theo Walcott ran riot, bagging himself a hat-trick, and Danny Welbeck nabbed two goals in the process, returning from a serious knee injury. A one-sided stroll.
Fifth round: Sutton United 0-2 Arsenal
It was supposed to be a fairytale for Sutton. Arsenal were fresh from a 5-1 thrashing to Bayern Munich and looking vulnerable. However, the Gunners showed their quality with goals from Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott, who popped up again to get himself on the scoresheet. Nevertheless, the game will only be remembered for Sutton reserve goalkeeper Wayne Shaw eating a pie, which is a shame really as his side performed with great credit.
Quarter-final: Arsenal 5-0 Lincoln City
Another non-league team, another chance for a giant to be killed, but Arsenal dispatched Lincoln with ease. It took a while, but Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, an own goal from Luke Waterfall, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey saw the Gunners into the FA Cup semi-finals.
Semi-final: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City (Wembley)
A typical semi-final, close and tense but not without controversy. Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net in the same move, but the officials decided the ball had gone out when replays showed it hadn’t. Eventually Aguero put his team ahead, only for Nacho Monreal to equalise and eventually poor City defending allowed Alexis Sanchez to score the winner in extra-time.
CHELSEA
Third round: Chelsea 4-1 Peterborough
Despite John Terry being sent off for a last-man challenge, the Blues easy brushed aside Peterborough. Pedro scored the opener with a brilliant strike into the top right-hand corner, followed by Michy Batshuayi and Willian. Although Peterborough did get one back, Pedro scored again to ensure Chelsea's safe passage into the fifth round.
Fourth round: Chelsea 4-0 Brentford
Another Sky Bet Championship side, another team dispatched with ease. Willian scored a free-kick, followed by Pedro coolly finishing off a sweeping move and then Branislav Ivanovic finished like a striker in one of his last appearances before he moved on to Zenit St. Petersburg. The Bees then handed the Blues a penalty which Michy Batshuayi put away to end the rout.
Fifth round: Wolves 0-2 Chelsea
The Midlands club did give Chelsea a hard time in this game, creating chances and evening striking the post. However, Chelsea also had chances and a strong line-up eventually saw them through with goals from Pedro and Diego Costa.
Quarter-final: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
Up until the sending off of Ander Herrera this game was even and it was hard to see which side would break the deadlock. Herrera ignored repeated warnings from the referee and took Eden Hazard down right in front of the official. Against 10 men, Chelsea found things much easier although it was a goal from an unlikely source - N'Golo Kante - which saw them through.
Semi-final: Chelsea 4-2 Tottenham (Wembley)
Arguably one the greatest FA Cup semi-finals of all time, packed with goals and featuring the two best sides in England. Antonio Conte shocked everyone by dropping Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, but it turned out to be a genius move. It was a Willian free-kick that started the goal-fest after Pedro was fouled. However, Tottenham replied with a Harry Kane header, as he ducked down low and flicked the ball into the corner. Again a foul was Spurs’ downfall, as this time Son Heung-Min gave away a penalty and allowed Willian to restore Chelsea’s lead. Spurs replied with a world-class finish from Dele Alli, but the introduction of Hazard changed everything. He bagged a brilliant left-footed strike to put Chelsea in command and then Nemanja Matic hit a 30-yard pile driver to send the Blues to the final.
Arsenal and Chelsea in FA Cup finals
Arsenal FA Cup Final Results
1926-27: Cardiff 1-0 Arsenal
1929-30: Arsenal 2-0 Huddersfield
1931-31: Newcastle 2-1 Arsenal
1935-36: Arsenal 2-0 Huddersfield
1949-50: Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool
1951-52: Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal
1970-71: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
1971-72: Leeds 1-0 Arsenal
1977-78: Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal
1978-79: Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United
1979-80: West Ham United 1-0 Arsenal
1992-93: Arsenal 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
1992-93 replay: Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
1997-98: Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
2000-01: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
2001-02: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
2002-03: Arsenal 1-0 Southampton
2004-05: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United (5-4 on penalties)
2013-14: Arsenal 3-2 Hull
2014/15: Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
Chelsea FA Cup Final Results
1914-15: Sheffield United 3-0 Chelsea
1966-67: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea
1969-70: Chelsea 2-2 Leeds
1969-70 replay: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds
1993-94: Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea
1996-97: Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough
1999-00: Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa
2001-02: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
2006-07: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
2008-09: Chelsea 2-1 Everton
2009-10: Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth
2011-12: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Previous FA Cup Encounters
Chelsea and Arsenal will contest the 136th FA Cup final and surprisingly this will be only the second final between the two London rivals - and the first contested at Wembley.
In the entire history of the FA Cup, the two clubs have faced off 19 times and if past meetings are anything to go by the Gunners should be favourites with their eight wins in comparison to the Blues’ five.
Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal - January 30, 1915
Before the riches of the Premier League and the Champions League the two clubs faced-off in round two of the 1915 FA Cup.
Chelsea’s inside-forward Harold Halse scored the winner for the Blues and dumped the Gunners out.
With the help of Halse and company Chelsea made it all the way to the final, but he could not add to his two previous FA Cup glories with Manchester United and Aston Villa as Sheffield United ran out 3-0 winners that day.
Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea - January 11, 1930
Fifteen years later Arsenal would get their revenge on their rivals and run out 2-0 in the third round.
Centre-forward Jack Lambert and outside left Cliff Bastin were the match winners that day at Highbury. Lambert amassed 109 goals during his time with the Gunners between 1926 and 1934.
Arsenal went all the way to the final where the club won their the first FA Cup as they ran out 2-0 winners against Huddersfield Town and it was Jack Lambert who was the hero again that day.
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal - January 24, 1931
Fans only had to wait one year for the next instalment of Chelsea battling Arsenal in the FA Cup and this time the Blues came away with the victory.
Wing-half Syd Bishop and centre-forward George Mills grabbed the goals for the Blues, but Cliff Bastin managed to score against Chelsea again just like he had a year earlier.
Chelsea made it to the sixth round but could not overcome West Midlands side Birmingham as they drew 2-2 and then lost the replay 3-0.
Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal - January 7, 1939
Eight years on and it was a repeat of the last meeting between these sides. James Argue scored two to win the game but none other than Cliff Bastin popped up again to score against the Blues.
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal - January 11, 1947
The first of three FA Cup games between the two sides in 1947 began with a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round.
It was a game for the Scots as Tommy Walker and Ian McPherson scored for Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea - January 15, 1947
Much of the same in the first FA Cup third round replay between the Gunners and the Blues as it finished in a score draw.
This time it was the strikers who stepped up for the two sides, Ronnie Rooke scoring for Arsenal and Tommy Lawton for Chelsea, who of course went onto play for the Gunners later in his career.
Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea - January, 20 1947
Eventually a winner emerged from the second FA Cup replay and it was Chelsea, thanks again to Lawton who scored both goals.
Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea - March 18, 1950
This was the first semi-final contested between the two and it ended in a four-goal thriller but without a winner.
Both this game and the following replay were in fact held at White Hart Lane, home of Arsenal's rivals, Spurs.
Roy Bentley struck twice for Chelsea, but it was not enough as Denis Compton and Freddie Cox answered for the Gunners.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal - March 22, 1950
Freddie Cox scored the goal in the FA Cup semi-final replay that sent Arsenal to the final.
This result would kickstart a 59-year drought for Chelsea when it came to FA Cup clashes with Arsenal, who went on to lift the trophy in 1950.
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea - April 5, 1952
Another FA Cup tie and another semi-final between these rivals which ended in a draw.
It was Freddie Cox who popped up again for Arsenal to bag their goal, but Billy Gray who ensured the game ended level.
Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea - April 7, 1952
So the teams faced-off again in a replay to determine who should go onto Wembley and this time, the Gunners dominated.
Freddie Cox added to his goal in the previous game by bagging two and Dough Lishman also scored for Arsenal.
In the final Newcastle beat Arsenal 1-0 with a goal from Chilean George Robledo, who was the first non-British-registered player to become top scorer in England.
Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal - March 17, 1973
The fans would have to wait almost 11 years for their clubs to play each other again in the FA Cup and this time it was in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea boasted a team including legend Peter Osgood and Arsenal had cult hero Pat Rice in their line-up.
John Hollands and Osgood scored for the Blues, while Arsenal’s goals came from Alan Ball and Charlie George.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea - March 20, 1973
It was a close game, but once again the Gunners bested Chelsea and won by a single goal.
Alan Ball scored a penalty and Ray Kennedy added another for Arsenal, so despite Peter Houseman’s goal the Blues were knocked out by their rivals.
Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea - February 18, 2001
The Blues came into the game as FA Cup holders following their 1-0 victory against Aston Villa in the 2000 final.
However, Arsenal completely outplayed their rivals in this one and knocked them out in the fifth round of the competition.
Gunners legend Thierry Henry opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 50th minute, but just after the hour mark Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank levelled up the game.
It was another Frenchman in the shape of Sylvain Wiltord who put the game out of Chelsea's reach with a late brace, deservedly sending Arsenal through in an ill-tempered affair.
Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea - May 4, 2002
This is the only time that the two clubs have faced each other in the FA Cup final.
For Arsenal, it was a day to savour thanks to two quality strikes against a Chelsea side which featured a young Frank Lampard.
Ray Parlour scored a screamer to break the deadlock after 70 minutes with a 25-yard strike still replayed to this day, and then Freddie Ljungberg converted from a similar distance to finish off the Blues.
Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea - March 8 2003
After losing to the Gunners in the FA Cup final the previous season, Chelsea managed to hold on at the quarter-final stage.
John Terry gave his team a shock lead in the third minute.
Francis Jeffers and Thierry Henry both scored to put Arsenal head and they had a penalty saved by Carlo Cudicini which would surely have ended things.
Frank Lampard then popped up late in the day to force a replay.
Chelsea 1-3 Arsenal - March 25, 2003
Arsenal were given a helping hand thanks to Blues defender John Terry putting the ball into his own net.
Then Sylvain Wiltord finished a superb move to put the Gunners two goals up, and even a red card for Pascal Cygan didn't stop Arsenal advancing.
Despite Terry atoning with a header past Stuart Taylor, Arsenal's two-goal cushion was restored by right-back Lauren.
Arsenal went onto to complete their second successive domestic double.
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea - February 15, 2004
It was controversial striker Adrian Mutu who put the Blues ahead following a mistake from Jens Lehmann.
However, a Spaniard in the shape of Jose Antonio Reyes saved his side from defeat with two goals in five minutes which just so happened to be his first goals for the club.
One them was a thundering a 25-yard strike which flew into the top corner as Reyes hinted at a bright future which would never truly materialise at Arsenal.
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea - April 18, 2009
The Blues finally managed a victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup and it came in the semi-final at Wembley.
French winger Florent Malouda equalised will a low shot after Theo Walcott had put Arsenal in front.
The Gunners dug in, but Didier Drogba scored to earn Chelsea a deserved win, far from the only time he hurt Arsene Wenger's side.
Chelsea went onto lift the FA Cup, defeating Everton 2-1 in the final.
Memorable Goals
We remember some of the great goals in matches between these two sides in all competitions...
2003 FA Cup Quarter-Final: Henry v Chelsea
A game in which the potential of future Chelsea and England captain John Terry and all-time leading Chelsea scorer Frank Lampard was showcased at Highbury. However, it was an Arsenal legend who stole the show with a wonderful goal with the last kick of the first-half. Thierry Henry latched onto a long Patrick Viera pass, controlled the ball brilliantly and turned the on-rushing Carlo Cudicini with ease before sliding the ball into an empty net. A moment of magic.
2002 FA Cup Final: Parlour v Chelsea
Many Arsenal fans point to Ray Parlour’s screamer in the 2002 FA Cup final as one the best goals in the club's history. Parlour found himself faced with the Chelsea back line 25-yards out, but instead of trying to take them on he stepped inside on his right foot and rifled a shot into the top corner which was simply unstoppable. Given that it came from one of Arsenal's most popular sons, it remains one of the club's most significant goals this century.
2000 Premier League fixture: Sylvinho v Chelsea
With only a handfull of goals during his time at the Gunners this 86th-minute equaliser is easily the best. The ball fell to him outside of the box and he smashed a left-footed, out-swinging shot from 25 yards that beat the Blues keeper.
2006 Premier League fixture: Essien v Arsenal
Arsenal looked set for victory away at Stamford Bridge when Mathieu Flamini scored on the 78th minute - that was until Michael Essien stepped up to save his side. With just four minutes left, the midfielder smashed home an outside-of-the-foot strike from 30 yards which went in off the post. Anything but prolific, this will surely go down as Essien’s best goal, rivalled only by a similar strike for Barcelona.
2010 Premier League fixture: Alex v Arsenal
Alex surprised many with his goal, as the centre-half stepped up to take a free-kick outside the box and lashed it past Lukas Fabianski. From this moment on, Alex was feared by the opposition when he stepped up to take a free-kick, with the power he could produce almost unmatched.
2011 Premier League fixture: Mata v Arsenal
Chelsea were humbled at home by Arsenal and ultimately lost 5-3, but that did not stop Spanish playmaker Juan Mata bagging himself a cracker of a goal. He picked up the ball outside the box, rode a tackle and rattled the ball into the top left-hand corner. Mata showed fans that day exactly what the club had paid for and why he’d go onto to win the Chelsea player of the year award two years running.
Arsenal v Chelsea team news
Alexis Sanchez is expected to shake off a thigh injury in time for Arsenal's showdown with Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Sanchez limped off against Everton last weekend but is likely to be passed fit while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also in contention after recovering from a hamstring strain.
Laurent Koscielny, however, is suspended and Gabriel will miss out with a knee injury, meaning Per Mertesacker could make his first start in almost 13 months.
Late decisions will also be made on Kieran Gibbs, who has a thigh problem, and Shkodran Mustafi, who is struggling with illness.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has a fully fit squad.
Conte must decide whether to start Pedro or Willian behind his chosen striker while Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic are battling for a place in central midfield.
John Terry is likely to be named on the substitutes' bench at Wembley for what will be the 36-year-old's final match before leaving Chelsea this summer.
Arsenal team (from): Cech, Ospina, Martinez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Maitland-Niles, Coquelin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil, Walcott, Iwobi, Sanchez, Perez, Welbeck, Giroud.
Chelsea (from): Courtois, Begovic, Alonso, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Kante, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Moses, Pedro, Costa, Matic, Willian, Batshuayi, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Luiz, Eduardo, Aina.
Arsenal v Chelsea: Opta statistics
This will be the second FA Cup final contested between Arsenal and Chelsea. The Gunners triumphed in the 2002 FA Cup Final in Cardiff 2-0, with goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg.
This is the first FA Cup final fixture to be played at both the Millennium Stadium and the new Wembley Stadium.
A win for Arsenal would see them claim their 13th trophy, moving them one ahead of Manchester United on 12.
If Chelsea were to win, it would move them to eight FA Cup trophies alongside Tottenham (third overall).
Regardless of the result, it will mean that seven of the last 11 FA Cups will have been won by either Arsenal or Chelsea.
Arsene Wenger could win his third FA Cup in four seasons by beating Chelsea. Should his team lift the trophy, he would be set a record for most FA Cup wins as a manager (7, currently on 6 with George Ramsay).
Antonio Conte could become the fifth Italian manager to win the FA Cup, with three of the previous four achieving this at Chelsea (Vialli 2000, Ancelotti 2010, Mancini 2011 and Di Matteo 2012).
Conte’s only previous domestic cup final as a manager (excluding Super Cups) came at Juventus, losing 2-0 to Napoli in 2011/12.
Chelsea haven’t lost any of their last four FA Cup Finals, all of which have been contested at Wembley (2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012). The last team to beat them in an FA Cup Final were in fact Arsenal in 2001/02.
The eventual top-flight champions have also gone on to win the FA Cup on 11 of the 18 occasions they’ve played in the final, most recently Chelsea in 2010. The last team to fail to win the double having reached the final was Manchester United in 2007.
This is Arsenal’s 20th FA Cup final appearance, the most in history. They haven’t lost any of their last five FA Cup Finals since losing to Liverpool in 2001.
Theo Walcott is the top-scoring player left in the competition with five goals. He scored the opening goal for Arsenal in their 2015 final win over Aston Villa (4-0).
Pedro has scored four times and assisted another two Chelsea goals en route to the FA Cup Final. A Spaniard has scored in the FA Cup final in two of the last three years (Santi Cazorla 2014 and Juan Mata 2016).
Pedro is the only Chelsea player to reach double figures for both goals (13) and assists (11) in all competitions this season.
John Terry is the only current Chelsea player still at the club who was part of the squad that beat Liverpool in 2012. He has been captain for Chelsea’s last four FA Cup wins.
The Gunners have won each of their last six games at Wembley. This is their best run at the ground (new or old).
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium back in September 2016 – this is still the heaviest defeat that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side have suffered.
Chelsea have lost just twice in their last 13 games against Arsenal in all competitions (W8 D3), however one of those defeats was at Wembley (2015/16 Community Shield).
This will be Arsene Wenger’s 57th game against Chelsea as Arsenal boss – he’s won as many as he’s lost (W21 D14 L21).
Alexis Sanchez has been involved in 44 goals in 50 appearances for Arsenal so far in 2016-17 (29 goals, 15 assists).
Five-Star Tactics
Our tactics expert Alex Keble breaks down the key areas with his analysis of the Wembley match-up - check out his latest column here.
#RequestABet
Have you seen our latest #RequestABet ahead of the FA Cup final? We're backing Chelsea to win and both teams to score, Per Mertesacker to get booked and Arsenal to have five or more corners at a big price.
Click here for more.