After the Premier League season was wrapped up last weekend, all that is left to play for on the domestic scene is the coveted FA Cup and both sides have a successful history in the competition.
Chelsea triumphed in 2017/18, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy for an eighth occasion, while Arsenal are aiming for a record-extending 14th victory in the oldest national football event in the world.
Blues to Have the Edge Over Gunners
As a player, Frank Lampard won the FA Cup four times and he will be desperate to pick up a trophy in his maiden season in charge of the Blues, having already managed to secure a top-four finish this season.
Chelsea defeated Wolves 2-0 on the final day of the campaign to secure Champions League football for the 2020-21 campaign and they should have no fear of overcoming an Arsenal side they have not lost to in the last three meetings.
In Mikel Arteta, the Gunners also have a manager that won the FA Cup twice when playing for the north London outfit, but adding a first managerial trophy to his CV could be difficult.
Arsenal have won three of their last four matches but they have still looked shaky at the back, conceding four goals during that run, and they could be punished by a lethal Chelsea attack.
Giroud to Continue Wembley Love Affair
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Giroud, who looked to be heading for the exit door in January only for a move to Inter Milan to breakdown, as he prepares to lead the line on Saturday.
The France international has scored on each of his last six starts and has seven in 10 appearances since the lockdown – a fantastic run of form that has seen him displace Tammy Abraham as the leading striker.
Giroud, who is aiming to win the FA Cup for the fifth time – only Ashley Cole (7) has more medals post-war, looks a solid bet at 6/4 to score anytime against Arsenal, while the 4/1 on offer to net first or last is also appealing.
Expect Goals in Wembley Cracker
There is no doubting the attacking talent both sides have, with Chelsea netting 69 times in the league this term while Arsenal found the back of the net on 56 occasions.
It is easy to see why a combined 125 goals have been scored, with the likes of Giroud, Abraham, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe all on show.
However, it is at the back where the struggles have been and the Blues conceded a mammoth 54 times – the worst defensive record in the top 10, while the Gunners allowed 48 goals to be scored past them.
It certainly seems more emphasis will be on attack than defence in Saturday’s contest and backing over 2.5 goals, at 20/23, looks to be the smart betting route to go down.
*All odds correct at time of writing
