After weeks of waiting, the Europa League final is finally here.

LONDON - NOVEMBER 9: Tempers flare bewteen Arsenal and Everton players during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Everton at Highbury on November 9, 2004 in London. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)
LONDON – NOVEMBER 9: Tempers flare bewteen Arsenal and Everton players during the Carling Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Everton at Highbury on November 9, 2004 in London. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

Chelsea might be the strong favourites at 11/8 with MustardBet to win the Europa League final but Arsenal have much more on the line in this one-off game.

We know that the Gunners need victory to not only quell doubts around their mental strength but also to seal Champions League qualification and increase their summer budget.

Can they handle the pressure?

Keep on top of what is happening with our live blog.

We’ve talked UEFA, UEFA, UEFA and little else since we made the final and realised most of us wouldn’t be able to go. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s absence has been lamented and criticised and all the column inches in the media have focussed on the politics of the game rather than the game itself.

As such, it was easy to forget it’s a final that comes with a big shiny European trophy and all that sexy Champions League cash that Arsenal so desperately need.

On the face of it, Arsenal seem to be the most focussed. Chelsea are distracted by reports that Maurizio Sarri could leave for Italy this summer. He was spotted storming out of training on Tuesday night, upset that he couldn’t practice set-pieces with his side because the session was still open to the media as per UEFA’s instructions.

There have been reports of player bust-ups and more in the Chelsea camp while there has been practically nothing of note coming out of the Arsenal camp.

But all of that goes out the window when the match kicks off. It comes down to who wants it more and who is able to get through at least 90 minutes without making an idiot of themselves.

That’s something Arsenal have struggled with of late but in Unai Emery they have a manager who knows how to win this trophy.

Will that be enough?

We don’t have long to wait to find out…