What each Gunner must do to capture the Europa League silverware and secure the coveted Champions League spot…
Arsenal traveled to Baku on Saturday in preparation for Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League championship match against bitter rival Chelsea.
This will be the third meeting between the two London-based sides this season.
Arsenal visited Stamford Bridge in the second fixture of the Premier League season on August 18. Marcos Alonso’s game-winning goal in the 81st minute broke a 2-2 tie and sent Chelsea on to victory.
In the reverse at the Emirates on January 19, Arsenal extracted revenge. In a match that saw Chelsea hold 64% of possession, the Gunners were able to pick their spots wisely and Alexandre Lacazette and Laurent Koscielny’s goals gave Arsenal a 2-0 triumph.
Wednesday’s match in Azerbaijan’s capital city will be the rubber-match. Chelsea are playing for pride, as they’ve already secured a spot in next season’s Champions League. Arsenal must win this match or spend another season outside of Europe’s highest profile competition.
The Gunners took 24 players with them on the trip, with 23 suiting-up for the battle. Among those on the travelling squad was Danny Welbeck, who will most likely make a substitute appearance in his final match for Arsenal. Otherwise, it is hard to understand the selection for travel.
Notables not making the trip were Henrik Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey, and Hector Bellerin.
Let’s look at the projected starting lineup, starting in-goal, and what each player must do for Arsenal to lift the silverware for the first time since 1994 in a European competition.