Follow the latest updates live from the Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku.
The two Premier League rivals meet in Azerbaijan for the right to be crowned Europa League champions inside Baku’s Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan, having overcome Frankfurt and Valencia in the semi-finals to set up the first of two all-Premier League European finals this week.
Chelsea are looking to win the Europa League for the second time in their history after their 2012/13 triumph, but for Arsenal the trophy will mean much more as it is their last remaining route into next season’s Champions League after missing out on the top four this season. Follow the live updates below.
A reminder of the teams:
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson, Knte, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard
Arsenal: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
The players are out in Baku!
The opening ceremony is currently taking place in the Olympic Stadium, and the players are waiting in the tunnel…
The stage is set in Baku – 10 minutes to go!!!
Aaron Ramsey looks on, injured and unable to play in what would have been a fitting sendoff for the Arsenal stalwart…
Petr Cech is the first player to play both for and against the same English team in a major UEFA European final (for Chelsea in 2013, against them in 2019).
Unai Emery speaking to BT Sport pre-match:
On the game:
“This title is the first in our target. We want to enjoy it. And also do something in our career history for Arsenal. And after the title, the possibility to play in the Champions League is our second target.”
On Petr Cech starting:
“He has played all the matches in this competition. And when he’s playing and helping with big commitment and giving us his quality and big performances, he deserves to play also.”
It’s 30 minutes until kick-off at the Olympic Stadium in Baku!
Unai Emery has won this competition three times in a row from 2014-2016 with Sevilla.
Can he make it number four?
This is what’s up for grabs!
Maurizio Sarri speaking to BT Sport pre-match:
On losing his temper in training yesterday:
“I think that you were not able to understand yesterday because if my players are really aggressive in training I am happy, not disappointed. In the final 15 minutes, the cameras were there so we were disappointed.”
How fit is N’Golo Kante:
“We don’t know exactly.”
Arsenal substitutes: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Jenkinson, Elneny, Guendouzi, Willock, Saka, Amaechi, Iwobi, Nketiah, Welbeck
Chelsea substitutes: Caballero, Cumming, Alonso, Barkley, Higuain, Zappacosta, Willian, Cahill, Ampadu, Gallagher, McEachran
TEAM NEWS
For Arsenal, it’s largely as expected, and Petr Cech starts his final ever match against his former club!
Here’s Arsenal’s starting XI: Cech, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
TEAM NEWS
The big news for Chelsea is that N’Golo Kante STARTS – he’s been passed fit!
Here’s Chelsea’s starting XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Emerson, Knte, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Giroud, Hazard
A club with European pedigree.
Gonzalo Higuain has also not been a happy boy in training recently….
Not what you’d call ideal preparation for Chelsea…
The players have arrived at the Olympic Stadium in Baku!
If Chelsea win, will club captain Gary Cahill lift the trophy alongside Cesar Azpilicueta?
Cahill has barely played this season and will leave the club this summer.
What time is kick off and where can I watch it?
The game will kick-off at 8pm (BST).
What TV channel is it on?
The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4KUHD.
However, fans can watch the match even if they are not BT Sport subscribers via a free live stream on the BT Sport website and mobile app. The game will also be broadcast on BT Sport’s YouTube channel.
Predicted line-ups…
Chelsea: Kepa, Alonso, Luiz, Christensen, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Barkley, Hazard, Pedro, Giroud.
Arsenal: Cech, Kolasinac, Monreal, Koscielny, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Torreira, Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Odds…
Chelsea 7/5
Arsenal 2/1
Draw 9/4
