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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Arsenal vs Chelsea: Key battles for the FA Cup Final and the Christian Pulisic factor

Former teammates Luiz and Giroud will contest a key battle at Wembley. (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal and Chelsea meet in all-London FA Cup Final at Wembley with both Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard chasing their first piece of managerial silverware.

There are subplots across the pitch however as the two old rivals come together again.

Standard Sport looks at some of the key battles that will unfold.

David Luiz v Olivier Giroud

Giroud and Luiz divide opinion, but will take centre stage against their former clubs on Saturday.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Giroud, revived at Chelsea, once joked Wembley is “my garden” and is chasing a fifth FA Cup triumph. His battle with Luiz, discarded by Frank Lampard last year, could be crucial.

Emiliano Martinez v Willy Caballero

Willy Caballero and Emiliano Martinez started the season as designated FA Cup goalkeepers but end it with an argument that both are first choice at Wembley.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is out of form and low on confidence at Chelsea, while Martinez has excelled since coming in for the injured Bernd Leno last month.

(2020 Pool)

Pulisic will be hazard to Arsenal

Eden Hazard scored the winner the last time Chelsea were in an FA Cup Final two years ago, and Christian Pulisic will hope to follow in those footsteps tomorrow. The American says he is “100 per cent fit” following a niggling injury and keeping him quiet will be key for Arsenal.

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