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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Arsenal result: Eden Hazard ensures Blues win Europa League final in style

Re-live the action from Baku

Luke Brown
Baku
,Kieran Jackson
Wednesday 29 May 2019 16:52 EDT
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Chelsea v Arsenal: Europa League final preview

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Eden Hazard bid a glorious farewell to Chelsea by netting a brace as Maurizio Sarri's side roared past Arsenal to seal Europa League success in Azerbaijan.

Unai Emery was looking to continue his love affair with this competition and end the Gunners' 25-year wait for continental success at the end of his maiden campaign in the dugout.

But Arsenal collapsed as a tepid first half made way for a memorable second period at the sparsely-filled Baku Olympic Stadium, where Chelsea manager Sarri masterminded a 4-1 win that brought his first major trophy. Re-live the action in the blog below.

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's Europa League final between Chelsea and Arsenal, brought to you from the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Jack de Menezes29 May 2019 15:45

It's the first of two all-English European finals this week! Before Liverpool play Tottenham in the Champions League final on Saturday, a place in Europe's top competition is up for grabs for Arsenal this evening!

Chelsea face the Gunners in tonight's Europa League final in Baku, and although Chelsea are guaranteed a place in the Champions League, Maurizio Sarri will want to win his first major trophy in management. For Arsenal, it's a game which could define Unai Emery's time at the club...

Kick-off is at 8pm (BST), but we'll be here bringing you all the build-up and team news as it comes in! 

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:06

There's been a lot of talk about the venue for this showpiece event, but the Olympic Stadium in Baku does have a capacity of over 68,000.

Time will tell how many of those seats are filled by kick-off though...

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:17

Despite there being less pressure on Chelsea, given Champions League football is secure next year, tensions have been running high in-camp...

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:27

Will tonight be the last time Eden Hazard plays for Chelsea? 

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:35

Our man in Baku is Luke Brown, and he attended Maurizio Sarri's press conference yesterday...

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:45

Assuming he starts in goal for Arsenal, tonight will be Petr Cech's final game of professional football against the club where his journey in English football began in 2004. 

Rumours of the Czech taking on a role at Chelsea as their sporting director will not influence Unai Emery's selection decision this evening though. 

"I speak about Petr a lot but above all he is a great man and a great professional," said Emery.

"His behaviour this year with us has been amazing.

"I want to do something important with him in his last match. This was my conversation with him - I told him 'I want to do something important with you in the last moment in you career, playing or not playing'.

"He can start or not start, I have to decide, but he deserves trust because his career says to us he is a gentleman."

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 16:59

Just under three hours to go now until kick-off in Baku!

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 17:11
Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 17:14

Chelsea have won this competition before, beating Benfica in the 2013 final. 

The closest Arsenal have come to winning this competition was in 2000, when they lost the UEFA Cup final to Galatasaray on penalties.

Chelsea's David Luiz, who played six years ago, wants a repeat result tonight...

Kieran Jackson29 May 2019 17:26

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