Emmanuel Ebimoh – 9News Nigeria
For 146 years since the inception of the English FA Cup, the excitement and drama experienced in every game has been second to known. As football teams in England lock horns every year to compete for one of the most coveted trophies in world football, and indeed the oldest football competition in the world, one can only expect the best of the game.
Since its commencement in 1871, there has been 43 different winners of the competition with Arsenal and Manchester United holding a tie, having won the trophy 12 times each. Today, the 136th final will be played at the magnificent Wembley stadium between the Gunners of Arsenal and the Blues of Chelsea.
Arsenal FC, led my their charismatic Manager Arsene Wenger, are hoping to make history as the team with the most all-time FA Cup wins in 20 final appearances. If they win today, it’ll be their 13th trophy, putting them comfortably on the top of the trophy table. Chelsea, however, are never going to be an easy nut to crack.
The vibrant Blues, under their animated Italian tactician, Antonio Conte have been by far the most consistent team this season in England. Having won the 2016-2017 English Premiership title in grand style, and with 7 FA Cup trophies in their cabinet, many football pundits are already tipping them to overhaul the Gunners in tonight’s mouthwatering encounter. If Chelsea wins tonight, it’ll be their second trophy this season, an achievement they’ll kill to attain.
It’s surely going to be a battle between the most successful club in the FA Cup history and the most consistent team in English football this season. Following the success and rivalry between these two teams in recent years, we’re indeed set for a grand showdown tonight.
The question is, on whose side would you pitch your tent? Well, tonight will tell who’ll be crowned champions of the oldest football competition in the world.