Champions League torment could make Arsenal 'dangerous' FA Cup Final opponents for Chelsea, warns Pat Nevin

Arsenal's misery at missing out on Champions League qualification could work against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, according to Pat Nevin.

The Gunners failed to secure a Premier League top-four finish for the first time under Arsene Wenger this season, with the north London club consigned to Europa League football for the 2017-18 campaign.

The futures of Wenger, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are in doubt, but the Gunners can still end the season on a high as they take on Chelsea at Wembley in Saturday's Cup Final.

Unfortunately for Wenger, Arsenal face a defensive crisis against Antonio Conte's champions with Laurent Koscielny banned following a straight red card against Everton on the final day of the season.

The club face an anxious wait to determine the extent of Gabriel's knee injury, while Standard Sport understands that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also touch-and-go to play in the May 24 Final.

But former Chelsea winger Nevin says Conte's title winners must be wary of Arsenal embracing the challenge at Wembley, telling Chelsea's official website: "Obviously the news coming out of Arsenal has been less than positive for our opponents with Laurent Koscielny out and Gabriel also struggling after their win against Everton.

"Add to that the torment of finally losing out on next season’s Champions League involvement and a variety of dilemmas in the upper management and, all in all, it is not a great time for the Gunners.

"The thing is, that could make them even more dangerous. Their players will certainly be up for it, especially those who think they might be leaving in the summer.

"They would love to go out on a high with a major trophy and of course they are now serious underdogs in the eyes of most people, which takes the pressure off to some degree.

"It is also worth remembering that Arsenal are on a good run of form at the moment, with five wins in a row and a combined score of 13-2 during those matches.

"The reason for mentioning this is to emphasise the point that the game will not be easy, not at all.

"You could tell by Antonio’s demeanour after the match against Sunderland that he wanted to enjoy the moment, but it was imperative in his mind that nobody would be allowed to lose any of the hunger for success.

"He was right to mention that in the press conference because it is human nature to relax just a little after that level of success.

"If you win the league your brain tells you that the job is done so the fun times and rest and recovery can begin. In fact your body can go into a decline."