How Arsenal and Chelsea will line up their formations for the FA Cup Final

With the FA Cup Final fast approaching for Arsenal and Chelsea, both Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte have some tough decisions to make.

While Arsenal ultimately missed out on a top-four Premier League finish, Wenger's switch to a three-man defence saw the Gunners win their last five games as they pushed Liverpool and Manchester City all the way in the race for Champions League qualification.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, Wenger now faces a defensive dilemma with Laurent Koscielny suspended, Gabriel injured and Shkodran Mustafi a doubt for Saturday's Final.

Conte's title-winning squad has a clean bill of health, but that means the Italian coach must disappoint a number of big names as he looks to complete a Double in his first season in England.

The 47-year-old made a switch to a 3-4-3 formation after damaging defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool in September, and Chelsea's starting XI has remained much the same throughout the campaign as the likes of Willian have had to settle for a bit-part role.

With both managers facing big calls over their Wembley line-ups, Standard Sport's Arsenal and Chelsea experts James Olley and Simon Johnson have lent a helping hand to the coaches...

Arsenal have enjoyed a renaissance since switching formations from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1, but a shortage of centre-backs has complicated their plans.

Koscielny is suspended, while Gabriel is sidelined through injury. Mustafi has not been able to train this week due to illness and is a major doubt. If the German does not make it - as appears likely - then his fellow countryman Per Mertesacker may start for the first time in 13 months alongside youngster Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal.

A lot also depends on Kieran Gibbs, who is understood to have returned to training following a minor thigh problem. If he passes a fitness test, Monreal can remain as part of a three-man defence. Otherwise, Arsenal may be forced to switch to a back four, with Hector Bellerin coming in at right-back.

Wenger would like to persist with a 3-4-2-1 formation, however, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available after a hamstring injury and would expect to get the nod at right wing-back over Bellerin.

Chelsea coach Conte has no such problems. There are probably only two positions in his 3-4-3 system that will give him any cause for thought.

The first is who partners N’Golo Kante in midfield. Despite being in fine form, Cesc Fabregas is not expected to start against his former club as Conte favours the more defensive Nemanja Matic.

Willian has also staked a late claim to play on the right-hand side of Chelsea’s attack, but Pedro has been first choice for the role since October.

Meanwhile, captain John Terry will have to settle for a place on the bench for his last game with the club.

Expected FA Cup Final line-ups

Arsenal XI: Cech; Holding, Mertesacker, Monreal; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xhaka, Ramsey, Gibbs; Sanchez, Welbeck, Ozil

Chelsea XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Hazard, Costa, Pedro