The most recent meeting between the two teams was a league encounter in February 2017 . Chelsea beat Arsenal by three goals to one , a result which moved them 12 points clear in first position . The win was significant given Chelsea lost the reverse fixture 3 – 0 in September 2016 , a " watershed moment " in their season according to BBC journalist Phil McNulty . While Arsenal struggled to build momentum throughout autumn and winter , Chelsea manager Antonio Conte 's tactical switch from 4 – 3 – 3 to 3 – 4 – 3 thereafter resulted in a 13-match winning run . They won the Premier League with two matches to spare , and later set a new divisional record for the most wins ( 30 ) . Arsenal ended the season in fifth place , their lowest placing under manager Arsène Wenger , and missed out on UEFA Champions League football for the first time in 20 years . Wenger 's future had been cast into doubt following a bad run of form in February and March , which saw the team lose 10 – 2 on aggregate against Bayern Munich in the Champions League , and four of their five league matches . To arrest the decline , Wenger adopted a similar tactical change to Conte , playing three defenders at the back . Arsenal went on to win eight of their last nine fixtures , but Wenger admitted his team were outsiders for the final : " This time we are not favourites , it ’s quite even or maybe Chelsea are ahead , so it ’s a bit similar to what happened in the semi-final against Manchester City . That ’s part of what makes it all exciting as well . " Of his future he said , " It will not be my last match anyway , because I will stay , no matter what happens , in football . " Conte described Wenger as one of the greats in football , and felt he would remain as Arsenal manager come the season 's end . " He has done a fantastic job . Sometimes in England I think you undervalue the achievement of qualifying for the Champions League . Only this season they have n't qualified for the Champions League , " he continued . Conte reiterated the importance of his players keeping their focus and wanted Chelsea to " pay great attention and focus " to their opponents . Hazard , who was playing in his first FA Cup final , was eager to win the competition : " For Chelsea , for such a big club like this , you need to win one , two , three trophies every season if you can . Now we have the possibility to win another trophy so all the players are ready for that . It 's such a great competition for the fans . " Chelsea and Arsenal were expected to line up in a 3 – 4 – 3 formation . Whereas the former club had no injury or suspension worries , Arsenal had doubts over the fitness of Petr Čech and Shkodran Mustafi , and were already without defenders Laurent Koscielny ( suspension ) and Gabriel ( ankle injury ) . Per Mertesacker was expected to start ; the Germany international only featured once for Arsenal 's first team during the season . The day before the final '' The Guardian '' reported that Wenger chose David Ospina to start in goal ahead of Čech . Both clubs received an allocation of approximately 28,000 tickets . For adults , these were priced £ 45 , £ 65 , £ 85 and £ 115 , with concessions in place . Chelsea supporters were situated in the west side of the ground , while Arsenal 's were allocated in the east . The remaining 14,000 tickets were distributed to volunteers involved in the FA 's work . Finalists stood to receive £ 900,000 minimum , the winners earned £ 1.8 million . Security at Wembley Stadium was tightened in the wake of the Manchester Arena bombing ; as a security measure Arsenal cancelled a screening of the game at their ground . Both clubs cancelled plans for open top bus victory parades . Sol Campbell and Eddie Newton came onto the pitch to greet the supporters and place the trophy on a plinth . As they departed , the traditional Cup Final hymn , " Abide with Me " was sung by representatives of eight clubs , including Lincoln City , Guernsey , Millwall and Sutton United . The teams emerged moments later led by their managers , and players were greeted by Prince William , Duke of Cambridge . Soprano Emily Haig sang the national anthem and a minute 's silence was then held to honour the victims of the Manchester attack . Prince William , Andy Burnham , the Mayor of Greater Manchester and FA chairman Greg Clarke lay wreaths on the pitch in tribute
Manchester Arena bombing
Manchester Arena bombing
2017 FA Cup Final