Europa League final: Chelsea vs Arsenal Wednesday 29 May

Chelsea vs Arsenal 21:00 SASTEnglish Premier League duo Chelsea and Arsenal kick off a remarkable double-header on Wednesday as they compete for the Europa League trophy in Baku.

With Liverpool tackling Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday, Wednesday night's winners in Azerbaijan will form one half of an unprecedented English clean sweep on the continent.

Putting aside the controversial decision to host the showpiece in the far-flung former Soviet republic, it's a chance for one London club to finish their campaign on a high.

Just don't mention that to Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who will miss the big night due to a distinct absence of diplomatic ties between the host nation and his native Armenia.

A final fling for Sarri and Hazard?Maurizio Sarri has come under consistent pressure as Chelsea boss during the second half of his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Blues fans have taken aim at his Sarriball' style of play, despite guiding the west London club to a third-placed finish in the Premier League, behind only the ridiculous exploits of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London.They reached the Europa League final thanks to a penalty shootout success over Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals.

Chelsea remained deadlocked with their German opponents following a pair of 1-1 draws over 180 minutes of action plus extra-time in the English capital.

But Eden Hazard kept his cool to slot the winning penalty, giving him the chance to leave the club on a high if he finally pushes through his exit to pastures new after Saturday night.

The 2013 winners dropped only two points on their way to topping Group L ahead of BATE Borisov, MOL Vidi and PAOK.

They then cruised past Swedish club Malmo in the Round of 32 before swatting aside fallen giants Dinamo Kiev 8-0 on aggregate in the last 16.

A 5-3 quarter-final success over Slavia Prague set the scene for their last four triumph, pushing Sarri's immediate future to the side for one more night.

Gunners out to end on a highArsenal's finish to their Premier League season was a complete flop.

Unai Emery completed his first season in the Gunners' dugout with a succession of dispiriting results that saw his side slip out of contention for a top four finish that would have ensured Champions League qualification.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates his goal for Arsenal against Manchester United in the Premier League. Photo: Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP.A final day victory came as little compensation after giving up a solid position in third to finish fifth in the pile behind their European final opponents and arch-rivals Tottenham.

The door remains ajar to reach the continent's top table next season, though, as a win in Baku would seal a spot in the Champions League despite their lowly league finish.

Europa League football has been something of a relief for the Londoners throughout the campaign.

Arsenal matched Chelsea in racking up 16 points in the first stage, topping Group E ahead of Sporting as well as also-rans Vorskla Poltava and Qarabag.

The Gunners then overturned first leg deficits to progress through the Round of 32 and the last 16 with aggregate successes over BATE Borisov and Rennes.

They then stepped up the quality to sweep past Italian giants Napoli 3-0 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.

It was just as easy against Valencia in the semi-finals, with a 7-3 win on aggregate testament to the English side's superiority over their La Liga opponents.

Now they must pick themselves up for one final tilt at a trophy and a coveted spot back in the big time come August.

Tags: ABGADTArsenal FCChelsea FC

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