Arsenal and Chelsea faced off against each other for the finals of the Europa League 2018/19. Both teams, separated by just a few miles, had to travel over 4000 kilometres to Baku, Azerbaijan.
This was the most important match of the season for both teams as it was the only opportunity to win some silverware. Both managers needed the victory – there were rumours surrounding Maurizio Sarri’s future at Stamford Bridge if he failed to win the Europa League. Unai Emery and Arsenal needed to win even more as this was their only route to ensure Champions League football next season.
This was the first European final Arsenal were in in thirteen years and the stakes couldn’t be higher for them.
In this tactical analysis, we’ll move away from the geopolitical issues surrounding the much-anticipated final including the fan allocations, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence, and UEFA’s inaction on that matter and focus on how Chelsea thumped Arsenal resoundingly to win the first major trophy in Maurizio Sarri’s managing career.
If you want to read the full tactical breakdown of this game, head over to totalfootballanalaysis.com or click HERE
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