Key Match-ups and Expected XIs of the 2015 FA Cup Final

Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal will be looking to win two FA Cup finals back-to-back after their long trophy drought was brought to an end at Wembley last year.

The Gunners snatched the win with an Aaron Ramsey goal in extra time after the game was locked at 2-2 at the conclusion of the 90 minutes. The win brought silverware to Arsenal’s trophy cabinet for the first time in almost a decade, which they quickly followed up with an FA Community Shield win over Manchester City.

The side who finished third in the Premier League this term go in heavy favourites against cellar dwellers Aston Villa who struggled for the majority of this season. However, the Villans have found form since the return of Christian Benteke from injury, with the Belgian centre-forward scoring 11 goals in his last 11 games to help steady the ship and avoid the drop.

The talismanic striker also helped his side overcome Liverpool in their semi-final clash, beating the Merseyside team 2-1, with goals in the game also coming from Philippe Coutinho and Fabian Delph. Arsenal’s semi-final win was somewhat less comfortable, just scraping through with a gift in extra time from Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici. The Australian glovesman let a tame Alexis Sánchez shot slip through his hands after the Costa Rican had his opener cancelled out by Gareth McCleary in regular time.

Key Battles –

Laurent Koscielny vs Christian Benteke

With the current form and ability of the Belgian in no doubt, Koscielny will have to be at his best to ensure that Benteke does not get on the score sheet. Capable in the air or with the ball at his feet, quality delivery to the Villa No. 20 could be the difference between winning and losing in this game.

Mesut Özil vs Tom Cleverly

With Cleverly usually deployed as the central most of Villa’s midfield three he will be tasked with stifling Arsenal’s playmaker in the centre of the park. Cleverly will have to be ever vigilant to ensure that Özil can find no pockets of space in between Aston Villa’s midfield and defence, with the German sure to punish if given enough time and space.

Jack Wilshere/Francis Coquelin vs Fabian Delph

Delph’s dribbling and passing have been on display in recent weeks with the midfielder pulling out some top draw performances. Often receiving the ball deep and carrying it into dangerous areas, Arsenal’s defensive midfielders will have to be very wary of him breaking past their forward press and continuing higher up the park. When getting himself higher up the pitch, Delph is adept to find the killer pass or link up with the likes of Jack Grealish to get in behind the Arsenal defence.

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Expected teams 

England international Danny Welbeck has been ruled out of the game but the squad will be buoyed by the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy from injury and strong performances from Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere last outing. There is uncertainty over who will start in goal with Wenger traditionally opting to start his Premier League benchwarmer in FA Cup games.

Shay Given looks to have recovered from injury and now looks likely to start for Villa with Kieran Richardson and Jores Okore also now fit and a possibilities for the Wembley clash. The players returning from injury mean that Tim Sherwood can select an identical lineup to that which beat Liverpool in the semi-final.

Arsenal Expected XI (4-2-3-1): W. Szczesny, H. Bellerin, L Koscielny, P. Mertesacker, K. Gibbs, F. Coquelin, J. Wilshere, A. Sánchez, M. Özil, S. Cazorla, O. Giroud

Aston Villa Expected XI (4-3-3): S. Given, L. Bacuna, J. Okore, R. Vlaar, K. Richardson, F. Delph, T. Cleverly, A. Westwood, J. Grealish, C. Benteke, C. N’Zogbia

Prediction

Arsenal have been accused of failing to turn up at Wembley on previous occasions and found themselves two goals down inside 10 minutes in last year’s game, but had the quality over their opposition to fight back and win. Sherwood’s Villa side have undoubted talent and the side have improved massively attacking wise under his guidance but Arsenal have pace, strength, height and experience at the back.

Whilst Cup Final games are traditionally tight, hard fought affairs where goals are scarce and a single moment can decide the game, this game has the potential to be different. Though underdogs Villa’s strength is attacking and, should they decide to, they can really bring this match to the Gunners.

Ultimately, Arsenal have the significantly better side and players with experience of the pressure of an FA Cup final.

Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 0