Chelsea v Arsenal | 2018/19 Europa League Final: 3 Motivations from both sides to win the game
Arsenal and Chelsea will trade tackles in Baku, Azerbaijan in the UEFA Europa League final to be played on Wednesday, May 29th 2019. Arsenal and Chelsea endured similar contrasting fortunes during the course of the Premier league this season, although the latter would be the much happier side, as they finished third in the premier league behind league contenders Liverpool and champions Manchester City.
However, there is so much at stake here for both sides especially considering the fact that both teams have new coaches who will looking to clinch their first silverware as managers in England, and a European trophy at that.
Both teams will be hugely motivated going into this encounter, so let's take a look at a number of factors that will serve as a big motivation going into the game, making it a promising match between the two London teams.
#1 The absence of Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian did not make the 23-man squad that travelled to Azerbaijan over the weekend due to the political tensions currently existing between the host country of the final, Azerbaijan and his country of birth, Armenia.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan met his family to discuss the possibility of travelling to Azerbaijan, however it was decided that he should not travel due to concerns of security. Although, UEFA gave assurances of the Mkhitaryan's safety. Apparently, they were not satisfied.
Several Arsenal players have expressed their disapproval that the Armenian will not be able to play due to some diplomatic reason. Gabon striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has stated that the absence of the Armenian will motivate them to win the Europa league.
It is surely going to serve as a motivation to the Arsenal players to win the Europa League.