Arsenal and Chelsea players ranked: Who has the advantage in FA Cup Final?

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The FA Cup final takes place on Saturday with two fledgling managers doing battle with their respective teams. Frank Lampard has done brilliantly to guide his side to a fourth-placed finish in the league, while Mikel Arteta has done impressive work to get Arsenal back on track, albeit with disappointing results along the way. To try and ascertain which coach will have the upper hand on Saturday, Jason Burt has ranked the likely starting XIs for each side. Arsenal Emiliano Martinez The 27-year-old Argentinian has been at Arsenal for a decade, has had to wait for his chance – and has now seized it. Been outstanding since replacing the injured Bernd Leno. Maybe the best second-choice goalkeeper in the league? 8/10 Hector Bellerin Injury has hampered the Spaniard’s progress and has struck again with a calf problem of late. He does not seem quite as dynamic but if fully fit he remains one of Arsenal’s most important performers while also endearing himself to the fans. 6/10 Rob Holding With Shkodran Mustafi injured, Holding is likely to start in what remains a problem area. It has been a tough campaign for Holding who has lacked consistency and not kicked on after breaking into the team. 5/10 David Luiz Few players split opinion as much as Luiz but at his best – and fully concentrated – he can be an outstanding centre-half especially in the middle of a back three as he proved in the semi-final win over Manchester City. 6/10 Kieran Tierney Much loved by fans and certainly liked by Mikel Areta, Tierney has seized the opportunity after finally being injury-free. It has still been a tough season for the Scot but he is starting to live up to his reputation. 8/10 Bukayo Saka Whether he or Ainsley Maitland-Niles starts remains to be seen but Saka has had an outstanding breakthrough season at Arsenal where there was huge relief that he signed a new contract. The 18-year-old has done well in a number of roles. 8/10 Dani Ceballos Has shown a vast improvement since lockdown. Before that there appeared little chance that Arsenal would try and extend his loan deal from Real Madrid. In saying that, the 23-year-old Spaniard can still do so much more especially in a team that struggles to create chances. 7/10 Granit Xhaka From being booed off and having the captaincy taken to rehabilitated under Mikel Arteta, the midfielder has almost personified Arsenal’s season. Still lacks reliability but is missed, with his calm passing, when he does not play. 7/10 Nicolas Pepe Has shown glimpses of his talent but, at £72million, has largely been a disappointment. The hope is the 25-year-old has now had this campaign to bed in and will be far more effective next season. Still a huge price tag. 6/10 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Captain, main goal-scorer and star player, with Arsenal desperate for him to sign a new contract. It would be difficult to see where they would be without him. Just turned 31 but showing no signs of slowing down. Has to stay. 9/10 Alexandre Lacazette Last season’s Player of the Year has not recaptured that form. Lost his place to Eddie Nketiah, seems to have lost confidence but has fought back even if he always gives the impression he is capable of doing so much more. 6/10 TOTAL: 76/110 Chelsea

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