Clash of London
An academic deep-dive into the all-English 2019 UEFA Europa League final showdown between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku.
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The Final Showdown
A London Derby in Baku
The 2019 UEFA Europa League final was the culminating match of the 48th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament. Held on 29 May 2019, at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, it featured a fierce London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.[5] This was the tenth final to feature two teams from the same association and only the second all-English final in the competition's history.
The Ultimate Prize
Chelsea triumphed with a decisive 4–1 victory, securing their second Europa League title. Beyond the trophy, the win granted them entry into the 2019 UEFA Super Cup against Champions League winners Liverpool. As Chelsea had already qualified for the next season's Champions League via their domestic league performance, the automatic group stage berth was passed down to the third-placed team of the 2018–19 Ligue 1, Lyon.[6][7]
A Match of Firsts
This final introduced several significant changes to the competition's regulations. It was the first Europa League match to utilize the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.[10] Additionally, new rules allowed for a fourth substitute in extra time and increased the number of named substitutes from seven to twelve. The final was also scheduled in the same week as the Champions League final, a new arrangement by UEFA.[8][9]
The Baku Stage
A Historic Host
The final was held at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, marking the first time a UEFA club competition final was hosted in Azerbaijan.[11] The selection was the result of an open bidding process initiated by UEFA in 2016. The stadium, with a capacity of 69,870, was chosen by the UEFA Executive Committee on 20 September 2017.[18][5]
Logistical & Political Controversy
The choice of Baku as host was fraught with controversy. Fans of both London-based clubs faced significant travel challenges, including limited and expensive flights and complex visa requirements. Both Chelsea and Arsenal failed to sell their full ticket allocations, leading to large sections of empty seats and a subdued atmosphere at the final.[42][46][49] Arsenal issued an official statement calling the situation "unacceptable."[51]
The Mkhitaryan Situation
A significant political issue overshadowed the event. Due to the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and his home country of Armenia, Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan opted not to travel with the squad for safety reasons.[55] This decision drew widespread criticism towards UEFA for selecting a host city where a player's safety could not be guaranteed, with Amnesty International accusing Azerbaijan of attempting to "sportswash" its human rights record.[58]
Historical Context
Chelsea's European Pedigree
This was Chelsea's second appearance in a Europa League final, having won their first in 2013 against Benfica. The club had a rich history in European finals, including two Cup Winners' Cup victories (1971, 1998) and two Champions League final appearances, notably winning the title in 2012.[19] Their record in all-English European ties was mixed, with six wins, seven draws, and four losses prior to this match.[20]
Arsenal's European Quest
Arsenal also entered their second Europa League final, having lost the 2000 UEFA Cup final to Galatasaray on penalties. It was their sixth major European final overall. Their previous triumphs included the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup.[21][23][25] Notably, Arsenal had a poor record against English opposition in Europe, having failed to win in six previous encounters.[20]
A Tale of Two Managers
The final presented a fascinating managerial duel. For Arsenal, Unai Emery was appearing in his fourth Europa League final, holding a perfect record with three consecutive titles won with Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016). A victory would have made him the most successful manager in the competition's history.[28] He faced Chelsea's Maurizio Sarri, who was aiming for his first major European trophy.
The All-English Affair
The final was the 198th competitive meeting between the two London rivals. It was the second all-English final in the competition's history and the first to feature two clubs from the same city. With Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur contesting the Champions League final, the 2018–19 season became the first to have all four finalists in major European competitions come from a single nation.[33][34]
The Journey to Baku
Chelsea's Unbeaten Path
Chelsea navigated the tournament without a single defeat. They comfortably topped Group L with five wins and one draw. Their knockout stage run was dominant, culminating in a tense semi-final victory over Eintracht Frankfurt decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Arsenal's Resilient Run
Arsenal also had a strong campaign, winning Group E with an identical record to Chelsea. Their knockout phase journey required resilience, as they had to overturn first-leg deficits against both BATE Borisov and Rennes before securing convincing victories against Napoli and Valencia to book their place in the final.
Pre-Match Analysis
Chelsea Team Selection
Chelsea faced midfield selection challenges with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi injured. However, key midfielder N'Golo Kanté passed a late fitness test to start.[60] The lineup featured former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud leading the attack, and Eden Hazard, in what was widely expected to be his final match for the club, providing creative impetus from the left wing.
Arsenal Team Selection
Arsenal were without the aforementioned Henrikh Mkhitaryan and injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey.[62][63] In a poignant turn of events, veteran goalkeeper Petr Čech started in his final professional match, facing the club where he achieved legendary status. Manager Unai Emery opted for a 3–4–1–2 formation, pairing strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front.
Officials and Ceremony
UEFA appointed Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi to officiate the final. He was a seasoned official, having previously been the fourth official in two Europa League finals and the referee for the 2017 UEFA Super Cup.[2] The pre-match opening ceremony was performed by English artist Jonas Blue, supported by 150 local dancers.[65]
The Decisive 90 Minutes
First Half: A Tense Stalemate
The first half was a cagey affair with few clear-cut opportunities. Arsenal came closest when Granit Xhaka's long-range effort clipped the top of the crossbar. For Chelsea, Olivier Giroud tested his former teammate Petr Čech with a low shot, but the half concluded without a goal, setting the stage for a dramatic second period.
Second Half: The Blue Avalanche
The match exploded into life after the break. In the 49th minute, Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a superb diving header against his old club. Chelsea doubled their lead on the hour mark when Pedro guided a low shot into the corner.[66] The game was effectively put beyond Arsenal's reach five minutes later when Eden Hazard converted a penalty after Giroud was fouled in the box.[67]
Hazard's Farewell Masterclass
Arsenal substitute Alex Iwobi offered a brief moment of hope with a stunning volley from outside the area in the 69th minute. However, Chelsea responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Eden Hazard scored his second, finishing a swift counter-attack to make it 4–1 and seal a comprehensive victory for Chelsea in his final appearance for the club.[67] He was subsequently named Man of the Match.[1]
Final Match Statistics
Chelsea's clinical finishing in the second half was the defining factor of the match. While possession and total shots were relatively even, Chelsea's ability to convert chances proved decisive.
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