Arsenal are set for a huge conclusion to a tough season as they face Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
The Gunners are looking to salvage major silverware and Europa League qualification from a below-par season which saw them finish eighth in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side will face a tough test against a Chelsea side who booked their Champions League spot under Frank Lampard on the final day.
With just a few days left to prepare, Arsenal were put through their paces at their London Colney base on Wednesday ahead of the big showdown at Wembley.
Here’s five things we noticed from a crucial session for Arteta’s men.
1) Youngsters drafted in
Mikel Arteta is showing he is not afraid to expose Arsenal’s next generation to the intensity of the first-team.
He has regularly brought academy prospects up to train with the big boys with several names featuring in recent weeks.
Matt Smith, named on the bench in the FA Cup semi-final, has been a regular and was again seen amongst the squad as they prepare for the final.
He was joined by keeper Karl Jakob Hein and defenders Harry Clarke and Daniel Ballard as they push for a chance to feature on the bench and be involved in a historic game.
Training provided them with a chance to impress Arteta as they stake a claim for further first-team involvement at the Emirates next season.
2) Defining moment
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reaching a crossroads in his Arsenal career.
Inter Milan and Barcelona are watching closely as they eye a move for Aubameyang, who is yet to pen a new deal with the Gunners.
Victory is paramount to strengthen Arsenal’s financial position and secure Europa League football next season.
The pressure is on for Aubameyang to deliver if he wants to put himself in a position to have his demands met at Arsenal.
He was pictured looking relaxed in training ahead of a game which will have huge ramifications for his future.
3) Point to prove
Lucas Torreira has returned from injury in recent weeks but failed to have the desired effect.
The Uruguayan has had a tough second season at Arsenal leading to some question marks over his future.
He was pictured training hard ahead of the FA Cup final, where he is likely to get a chance to feature in some capacity.
Torreira has a point to prove and will no doubt be desperate to get his hands on some silverware.
4) Leno returns
Bernd Leno looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines when he was stretchered off with a knee injury against Brighton shortly after the Premier League resumed.
But his injury turned out not to be as bad as first feared, and he was pictured back in training ahead of the FA Cup final.
He is unlikely to be rushed back ahead of Emiliano Martinez, who has been in fine form since standing in for the German.
Leno’s return is a welcome boost both for the keeper himself and Arteta with one eye on next season.
5) Arteta’s demands
Mikel Arteta is already known to demand high standards at Arsenal.
That certainly will not change ahead of the FA Cup final, with the Spaniard seen barking out orders to his players and being typically active in the session.
Arteta knows what it takes to win at Wembley, winning the competition twice with Arsenal.
He will now aim to do the same from the dugout and knows that these final preparations could make all the difference.
