Five Facts: The need-to-know stats ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea

The penultimate domestic match of the season takes place on Saturday as Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final. The Gunners are looking to land the trophy for a record-setting 14th time in their history, while the Blues hope to end Frank Lampard's debut season for the Blues with some silverware. 

Here, we look at five facts worth noting ahead of the Wembley showpiece... 

Arsenal seeking to step out of Tottenham's shadow 

Arsenal are the more successful of the two north London giants, even if they did finish below Tottenham in the Premier League this season. Indeed, the Gunners have won the FA Cup three times and the Community Shield three times since Spurs' 2008 League Cup win over Chelsea and the Gunners are looking to secure the FA Cup for the 14th time. 

However, while Arsenal have won their last six FA Cup final appearances, that record still falls one short of Tottenham's record of seven consecutive successful FA Cup final outings. They'll be looking to match this this weekend and get the better of a Chelsea side that boasts a solid record at the new Wembley Stadium since it re-opened in 2007. 

Chelsea hoping to end FA Cup final hoodoo 

Saturday will mark Chelsea's seventh FA Cup final appearance since Wembley re-opened in 2007 and 14th overall, a fine record to say the least. They have an impressive record in the showpiece event, too, winning seven of their last nine showings in the competition's final, and in any other season, would very much fancy their chances of coming away victorious. 

That said, of the two FA Cup finals Chelsea have lost in their last nine final showings, both have come against Arsenal. The Blues may have the necessary experience that has proven key in recent years, but the Gunners are their final bogey team, which could impact them mentally at Wembley. 

Anthony Taylor's FA Cup record 

Anthony Taylor is the man in the middle for the FA Cup final, which bodes well for Arsenal. Indeed, the Gunners have won all three FA Cup matches with Taylor the man in the middle, including the 2017 FA Cup final, a match Arsenal won 2-1 at Chelsea's expense. Mikel Arteta will be hoping history can repeat itself as the Gunners look to end a tumultuous season on a high. 

David Luiz's penalty pain 

David Luiz's penalty record is well documented this season. The Brazilian conceded more penalties (5) than any other Premier League player in 2019/20 and more than 11 of the 20 teams in the top-flight. One of those came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January as the pair played out a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. 

What's more of those five penalties conceded, four came away from the Emirates Stadium, which is hardly ideal for Arsenal and Luiz at Wembley. Only Manchester United (10) scored more penalties than Chelsea (7), while only Watford and Leicester (both 8) conceded more penalties than Arsenal (7) in the Premier League this season and if their former defender is up to his old tricks, then his penalty record may continue in the final game of the domestic season. 

Taylor's appointment as FA Cup final referee may be a boost for Arsenal, but he was the man in the middle who awarded a penalty against, and sent off, Luiz in the Gunners' 3-0 loss at Manchester City last month. He isn't afraid to point to the spot either with his avergae 0.38 penalties awarded per game second only to Mike Dean (0.41) in the Premier League this term. 

Aubameyang's cup record 

A brace against Manchester City in the semi-final means Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored three goals in two FA Cup appearances in his career. The Gabon international has a habit of delivering the goods in one off matches as proven by his two goals against City, having never previously scored against them. 

Stemming back to his time with Borussia Dortmund, Aubameyang has now scored nine goals in his last eight cup matches including the winner in his last final appearance, that a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2017 DFB-Pokal showpiece.