Chelsea Handed Double Fitness Boost Ahead of FA Cup Final

Lampard is aiming for his first trophy as a manager
Lampard is aiming for his first trophy as a manager / Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Three years on, it's happening again. Arsenal and Chelsea will meet in this season's FA Cup final on Saturday in a repeat of the 2017 showpiece, and also roughly a year on from their Europa League final showdown in Baku.

Wembley will play host to the 139th final in the competition, but who will secure the prize this time is anyone's guess.

Both clubs head into the clash without a fully fit squad at their disposals, with injuries in various areas set to make both managers' jobs that little bit harder.

In regards to Frank Lampard's Chelsea, there is some great news for the rookie boss regarding the fitness of two key players. Most notably there is N'Golo Kante, who had missed the last six matches for the Blues with a hamstring problem, however, Lampard confirmed (via football.london) that the midfielder will be in the squad to face the Gunners.

Willian was another doubt heading into Saturday having been forced to sit out the most recent victory over Wolves, but he too is ready to feature.

There is one absentee that Lampard must contend with, after it was revealed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek will sit out the final with a minor issue. The midfielder has struggled to nail down a starting berth this campaign, but his season is over regardless.

Kante returning offers a major boost to Chelsea's chances
Kante returning offers a major boost to Chelsea's chances / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

In his debut season in charge of the club, Lampard has successfully guided his former side into the Premier League top four, while he will now take charge of his first final as a manager. In the opposite dugout the scenario is the same for Arteta, who will watch on his side in the competition he won as a captain for the club in 2014. The Spaniard's major absentee for Sunday is defender Shkodran Mustafi.


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