There’s a bit riding on this game. One of the things riding on it is of course, the winner. It’s always seen a disappointment when either of these sides finishes a campaign with no silverware, and that will be the result for the loser.
There’s also a lot riding on it for Maurizio Sarri, the Chelsea manager. He only joined Chelsea at the start of the season, with his brief reign very tumultuous, despite and late season revival culminating in this final. With Pep Guardiola tipped to be less likely of joining Juventus than he was a week ago, rumors are that Sarri will be their new manager.
A Europa League title will help him finish his Chelsea tenure on a positive note.
Arsenal are essentially one season into a rebuild and a win is not as crucial for the legacy of Unai Emery, who has changed much about this side and still has much more to change.
It could also be Eden Hazard’s last game for Chelsea, with the fan favourite Belgian tipped to be off to Real Madrid. N’golo Kante is in a race against time to be fit but Sarri is confident he will be.
The news isn’t so good for Arsenal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan has not travelled to Baku despite being fit. There are fears for his safety because of political tensions between his native Armenia and Azerbaijan, where the game is being played.
That is sad for two reasons – one because politics should never impact soccer in this way and two because Mkhitaryan is a wonderful player and has been important for the Gunners.
Despite his absence The Wolf reckons Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will score in this final because he is in irresistible form.
However, Chelsea are the more disciplined side here defensively, just, and with Hazard, Pedro and Olivier Giroud will be too strong for the Gunners.
Recommended Bet: Chelsea to WIN ($2.26), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score ($2.58)
