London derby Champions League set

*This is part of The Ranchor issue of The Anchor, which is a satire edition of our student newspaper. None of this article is meant to be taken as fact.*

2027 final fixture features English premier league powerhouses, Chelsea F.C. and Arsenal F.C.

By: Fun Days

Soccer—or football as the rest of the world calls it—is the greatest game on the planet. If you strongly disagree, then I have nothing else to say to you.

With clubs blessed with glorious history, such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, the Devils, Red’s and Blues can only anticipate the coming of the next Anthony Martial, Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard.

The Frenchman, Brazilian and Belgian wingers each scooped up Ballon D’or player of the year awards back to back to back, from 2021-2023.

In doing so, they each won their respective teams a UEFA Champions league trophy, a super cup and a club world cup.

In great accomplishments and stellar careers, the three have etched their names into the soccer hall of fame and have made their mark both on and off the field. The champions league is the most prestigious trophy in club football and with this fixture, Arsenal right back and captain, Hector Bellerin looks to lift his first champions league trophy.

Hazard announced that this would be his last season of club soccer. Now at age 36, the converted central attacking midfielder looks to cap off his career with a second Champions League trophy in his cabinet.

Chelsea and Arsenal square off in the first ever all London champions league final, and the first English champions league final since the 90’s. To play this fixture, Antonio Conte, the head coach of the Blues had nothing but respect for the Arsenal side.

“Mauricio, he is a good guy. He is a tactical master and a great man-manager. We as a team will have our work cut out for us, but I have faith in my team. They will make us proud.”

The expected line up for the blues should be: Thibaut Courtois, Kurt Zouma, Matt Miazga, Victor Moses, Marcos Alonso, Yuri Tielemens, Renato Sanchez, Eden Hazard (C), Ousman Dembele, Kingsley Coman and Tammy Abraham.

The famous 3-4-3 formation has become Conte’s calling card, as he has held to adapting the formation since the 2016/2017 season, his debut year at the club. Team captain, Hazard had this to say in the press interview after qualifying for the final.

“We are ready for them. We know how good they are and they know how good we are. This would be my last game for the club and as the captain, it would be a dream come true to lift up the trophy one last time,” said Hazard.

Arsenal has had a great season leading up to this point. It was just this season that the gunners parted ways with Arsene Wenger, after over 20 trophy-less seasons.

As luck would have it, with Wenger’s departure, Argentine tactitian Mauricio Pochettino became available after a fall out with Tottenham F.C. On leaving the Spurs, Arsenal pounced on Pochettino and signed him on as the new manager of the gunners. In his first season, Pochettino has won the English premier league trophy, beating out Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Leeds United. He also snagged an F.A cup and looks to complete the treble in a few weeks time.

When asked, the Gaffer of the Gunners had an equally respectful tone towards the Chelsea side.

“I have always respected Antonio. Not just because football is nothing without respect, but because he has earned my respect. He has done a lot for Juventus and Chelsea and his passion is immeasurable. They will be a difficult side to face, but the lads are ready. We’ve worked hard for this moment and we want to take home the trophy.”

Pochettino’s line up will probably feature Gianluigi Donnaruma, Almeric Laporte, Hector Bellerin (C), Serge Aurier, Gabriel Fonte, Alex Iwobi, Ross Barkeley, Emre Mor, Renato Sanchez, Timo Werner and Mbappe Lotin.

Bellerin had this to say when asked about Hazard. “He’s done so much for their club. Coming from Lille and spending almost 15 years with Chelsea. I actually am inspired by people like him, which is why I never wanted to leave Arsenal. It’s a big moment for us and we want to win it more than anything. The fans deserve a treble after years of drought.”

It should be an interesting fixture, seeing both world class rosters take each other on for the champions league trophy. In the hope that injuries do not become an issue, both Gaffers have rested some of the key players in the remaining premier league fixtures.

Chelsea fans certainly hope Hazard gets a victory as he hangs up his boots, but Arsenal fans hope Bellerin can snag the trophy and make history for the club. Who deserves it more? You be the judge. The opening performance will be given by Khalid and Lil Yachty as they usher the world into the glory of the 2027 Champions league final to be played in the Stadio Olympico.

Roma and Italy legend Francesco Totti will be the one to present the trophy to the winning team at home, in the stadium he played 20 seasons for. He and fellow country man Andrea Pirlo will also join Thierry Henry and Mario Gomez for a halftime analysis and game recap. Keep an ear to the ground for more updates.