We all know that both clubs are serious London rivals and don’t like to lose to each other. Notwithstanding, they will have to play against themselves in Baku, for a chance to add a major trophy to their cabinet. In the past few recent meetings between these two rival clubs, the Arsenal have gotten the best of Chelsea in terms of results, so for Chelsea, this will be a key factor to consider. However, this is a new Arsenal makeup under Emery and also a new Chelsea makeup under Sarri, both managers on 1 win each from their two meetings this season.

The final will be a different game under a different atmosphere as compared to the premier league encounters and both managers will be looking to come out on top. It is a huge blow for Chelsea to have a player like Loftus-Cheek out injured, especially for a crucial game like this.

No player to boss the midfield

Looking at the Arsenal midfield players, there is not a single player to match his power, which would have been a huge advantage for the blues during midfield battles. His ability to drive with the ball from midfield and also his ability to hold off players using his size and strength on the ball would have been a nightmare for the Arsenal players. Kante is a very good player, but he is not the player to boss the midfield but to focus on what he knows how to do best on the pitch which is to win the ball back and initiate attacks.

No player that can guarantee goals from midfield

Even though there is no guarantee when it comes to goals from the player like during the days of Lampard, but Ruben is certainly a player who can pop in the goals when he has the opportunity. His past few games shows how good he is when it comes to scoring crucial goals for the team from midfield. This is yet another area where Chelsea will greatly miss this player as Kovacic doesn’t offer much going forward and Barkley can score goals, but doesn’t offer much in midfield.

No player to effectively link up play with Eden Hazard from midfield

It is no debate that Hazard is undoubtedly the best player in this current Chelsea team, and it is not a coincidence why the team plays well if he is having a good game. Having a player that is on the same wavelength in the number 8 position, makes it easy for Hazard to be more effective in his play. Yes he has the ability to do it all by himself, but that can only happen when the opposition decides to give him space. Like we have seen already that Loftus-Cheek and Hazard link up very well and they both understand themselves perfectly on the pitch. Without this understanding on that side of the pitch, it might be a huge problem for Chelsea to easily find their way through the Arsenal defense.

No player to effectively drive with the ball from midfield

This will be one of the biggest drawbacks for Chelsea, as the will be no player to effectively drive with the ball from midfield. The only player who can do this really well is Kovacic, but he isn’t the player that can make something happen from driving the ball. Loftus-Cheek’s ability to drive with the ball and actually do something with it, make him a huge miss for Chelsea.

With the qualities Ruben Loftus-Cheek brings to the table, there is no doubt that he will be a massive loss for Chelsea in the finals. Nevertheless, the other players who play in the same position are well capable of doing great things on their day. It is going to be an exciting final and we are really anticipating a great game of football from both teams.

And that is a wrap...

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