Who Falls In Wembley?

A competition that started with over 736 teams has finally shrinked to only two privileged teams that will now battle it out on the first of August in a winner takes it all encounter at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

The FA Cup is so special because of the many surprises it has pulled over the years, popping out less fancied teams that go all the way to lift the trophy. But that is not the case this time, the big boys came prepared.

Chelsea has in recent times become a force to reckon with in the competition having won it eight times. 25 years ago, They had just an FA Cup trophy to their name, in a win against Leeds United. But from 1997 to 2018, they have amassed over eight trophies, four of them coming from 2006 to 2018 A period recognized as a transition era for the Blues. 

This placed them on the pedestal of the elites in a competition in which they have been so good over the years. The Stamford Bridge outfit has recently woken up from their slumber and once again since their return from the coronavirus pandemic break looks like a team that wants to win. 

The return to form of Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, Antonio Rüdigier and the other young lads has  brought in some magic in the team's performances. It will not be a surprise if they lift the trophy in August.

Arsenal remains the most successful team in the FA Cup with over 13 trophies to their name. Historically speaking, they are the favorites coming into the encounter.

In terms of face-offs between the two power houses in the competition, Arsenal stands ahead with an overwhelming seven wins in the last eight meetings of their 13 encounters, winning the 2002 FA Cup final in the process.

However, Chelsea won the last FA Cup Final in another historic encounter in 2017 making it the second time the two London Clubs met in an FA Cup Final,the third awaits on the first of August. But history sometimes don't count in football.

The Gunners has been lackluster in their performances since the return of the Premier League. They have not played to their full strength and abilities. For a team comprising of players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Mesut Özil and other gifted footballers, one finds it difficult to figure out what keeps them crawling. But if the recent performances against Liverpool and Manchester City is anything to go by,  it can be concluded that the sleeping giants are finally awake. 

Having won the two best teams in the English Premier League for now, it could be seen as a very bold statement of what to expect on the first of August. 

The quality of the two sides that will lockhorns in the coming days are not in question, but what will determine who wins is the team that turns up with their shooting boots in Wembley.