There can be no stroll as much as the royal field. No Prince William handy over the trophy.
Both Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Chelsea counterpart César Azpilicueta should choose it up themselves on the pitch.
Even the standard pre-match “Abide With Me” hymn can be a prerecorded model by Emeli Sandé at Wembley Stadium.
Performed with none crowd resulting from pandemic restrictions, the 139th FA Cup last on Saturday would be the most uncommon within the historical past of the world’s oldest soccer competitors.
And will probably be performed greater than two months after it was initially scheduled, on an August day when England would often be getting ready for the beginning of a brand new home season quite than finishing the final one.
“It’s undoubtedly been a loopy season for everybody,” Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic mentioned.
The American can be certainly one of solely as much as 300 individuals allowed in a stadium that matches 90,000.
Followers will nonetheless be heard forward of kickoff for a minute when conversations about psychological well being involving followers and gamers are performed out as a part of a soundscape.
Earlier than kickoff — like each English recreation within the final six weeks — gamers will take a knee to indicate solidarity with campaigns towards racial injustice.
It’s why that is being known as the Heads Up FA Cup last — with Emirates airline handing over the title sponsorship to the psychological wellbeing marketing campaign spearheaded by Prince William.
“I imagine greater than ever that soccer will be the catalyst that drives this modification and brings us nearer collectively,” mentioned the second-in-line to the British throne.
And in a uncommon second of footballing candor this week, the Aston Villa-supporting Duke of Cambridge mentioned he would beforehand have been a “bit involved” about his son, Prince George, supporting Chelsea.
“However now,” he mentioned. “Frank’s are available in I really feel the tradition’s a bit completely different at Chelsea and I’d be OK with it.”
Chelsea’s all-time top-scorer, Lampard has exceeded expectations in his first season again on the west London membership as supervisor.
The previous midfielder was unable to make any signings when he took cost a 12 months in the past resulting from a FIFA switch ban, with Pulisic the one addition to the squad earlier than the deal was already in place.
However Lampard led Chelsea to a fourth-place end to make sure Champions League qualification and now has an early likelihood to select up a cup.
“At this stage in my profession, my first 12 months at Chelsea then in fact I’d love to do this,” Lampard mentioned. “Many a terrific supervisor over durations of time haven’t been in a position to win issues.”
Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta has definitely been impressed by the 42-year-old Lampard’s introduction to the Premier League.
“The consistency he was in a position to play for that a few years, within the place that he performed at such a giant membership, and doing what he did, was unbelievable,” Arteta mentioned. “Massive credit score to him on that. As a supervisor he has proven, since he went to Derby (earlier than Chelsea), the form of individual and ambition that he has, and the best way he encourages his crew to play.
“Once more this season he has achieved a very good job. We’re each younger, we’re each attempting to be taught as nicely our positions.”
Arteta left Manchester Metropolis, the place he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant, in December to exchange Unai Emery after the north London membership struggled within the post-Arsene Wenger period.
Arteta was Arsenal captain for 2 of Wenger’s seven FA Cup wins.
“I’ve been in contact in the previous few months just a few occasions with him however not earlier than the ultimate,” the 38-year-old Arteta mentioned. “It’s personal conversations however it’s nice to have him on board. He offers you nice recommendation … He has bought such a data and he’s such an clever individual, that simply figuring out he’s there and he’s going to be supporting us and supporting me, I really feel calmer.”
Whereas Chelsea has already secured European qualification, profitable the FA Cup is the one route into the Europa League for Arsenal after ending eighth within the Premier League — 10 factors behind Chelsea.
“We’ve labored so laborious since I joined right here to attempt to deliver this membership again to profitable titles, so if we will obtain that I can be delighted,” Arteta mentioned. “However not for myself. For the gamers and the membership.
“They’ve been by some very tough moments in the previous few seasons and as nicely for our followers, as a result of they actually deserve … some pleasure and a few good moments.”