Michael Owen is no stranger to an FA Cup final – particularly ones involving Arsenal.
The former Liverpool striker broke Gunners’ hearts in 2001 when his quick fire brace off the bench overturned a 1-0 deficit late on and ensure the trophy went back to Merseyside.
Owen hailed the moment as “the day all my boyhood dreams came true,” and now stars of both Arsenal and Chelsea have the chance to write their own story this Saturday.
The London rivals face off in the showpiece event at a behind-closed-doors Wembley, with Mikel Arteta and Frank Lampard both looking for their first piece of silverware.
Arsenal and Chelsea will contest Saturday’s FA Cup final
Arsenal and Chelsea will contest Saturday’s FA Cup final
FA cast doubt over Liverpool’s participation in Community Shield
Arsenal upset the odds to score a shock 2-0 win over Man City in the semi-final, while Chelsea saw off the threat of Man Utd to book their place.
There is a little more at stake for Arteta’s men, who need to win to ensure qualification for next season’s Europa League.
No other teams have won the trophy more this century than Saturday’s pairing, who each have six wins to their name since 2000.
In fact the two sides met in the final just three years ago with Arsenal running out 2-1 winners to collect their record 13th FA Cup triumph.
But Owen anticipates proceedings could go slightly differently this time round.
“Looking at the game this time around, I believe Chelsea have the better squad and with the Premier League table and recent history both favouring Chelsea as well, I am going for a 2-1 win to the Blues which will hand Frank Lampard his first piece of silverware as a manager,”
Lampard has won the trophy four times as a player, and is the sixth Chelsea manager to reach the final in his first season in charge.
Arteta also has three FA Cup winners medals in his cabinet – twice from his playing career with Arsenal, as well as one from last season’s triumph as a coach with Man City.
