FA Cup Final News: Part 1

Roberto Di Matteo is to lead Chelsea out this Saturday against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final. Di Matteo scored in the 97' and 2000 Finals, helping the Blues to victory in both matches. In 1997 his goal was the fastest ever in an FA Cup Final after just 43 seconds. In 2000, the Italian scored the only goal of the game against Villa. He also scored in our 1998 League Cup Final win against Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, Di Matteo had to cut his career short this year after failing to battle back from a broken leg suffered against St Gallen in September 2000.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is facing a fitness battle ahead of the final. He suffered a calf injury during the warm up to the Middlesbrough game on Saturday. He is certain to be named in the squad but whether or not he can shake off the injury in time to make the starting XI is debatable. Hopefully he will be ready as we will need our strongest team out in order to defeat the Gunners.

Sol Campbell has warned his Arsenal team mates about the threat of Chelsea's lethal strike partnership. Campbell said, "They've been banging goals in all season and I'm sure we'll have to be alert to their threat on Saturday."
Hopefully Campbell is right and the Blues' strike force can pose a threat to the Gunners...

Still on the subject of the Blues' strikeforce, Eidur Gudjohnsen claims that the reason he and Jimmy have been so good together is simply down to instinct. He said that it has nothing to do with hours of training but it is just down to a unique bond that they have which is helped by their close friendship off the field.

Graeme Le Saux is keen to complete his collection of domestic medals by winning the FA Cup this Saturday. Le Saux won the league with Blackburn in 1995, the League Cup with Chelsea in 1998 but missed out on an FA Cup winners medal in 2000 when he missed the final through injury. Le Saux also feels that now is the time to end their poor run against Arsenal which stretches back to 1998- the last time the Blues beat the Gunners which was, ironically, in a cup match.

Check back tomorrow for part two of our news round-up ahead of the FA Cup Final, including an update on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's injury...