The news that N’Golo Kante will likely miss the Europa League Final on Wednesday is a big setback for Chelsea and manager Maurizio Sarri.

The Frenchman’s importance to the side cannot be overestimated and with Ross Barkley and Mateo Kovacic now likely to partner Jorginho in a midfield three, Sarri has a real dilemma over how he sets up his team against Arsenal.

One of the key problems in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates back in January was the midfield screen the Gunners used with Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.

The trio effectively nullified any threat through the middle from the Blues, which meant they were unable to enforce their passing game on their opponents.

They had 64% of the ball during the game, but the slow build-up play and the high pressing from Arsenal meant Jorginho was unable to be an effective outlet.

Personally, I don’t see Sarri adjusting his formation. He has stuck rigidly to the 4-1-2-3 throughout the campaign and I can’t see him changing things for a major final. He will stick to his guns.

Kovacic played in the game at the Emirates, but Barkley’s selection for the final will pose some interesting questions. He is more prone to giving the ball away, which could prove fatal if Arsenal’s midfield press him into making mistakes, leaving the Gunners to run riot on the counter-attack.

However, the Englishman does offer more in possession than Kante, and his direct style could improve Chelsea’s goal threat. Even so, counteracting Arsenal’s press will stay be the problem that Sarri must solve so how does he solve it?

At the Emirates, he played Eden Hazard as a false nine. I really don’t see that happening again. Instead, the selection of Olivier Giroud could prove to be the solution.

The best way to beat a press is with an accurate long ball, and while we won’t see Sarri’s team lumping the ball long in every possession, the Frenchman is a perfect outlet to use when under pressure.

His hold up play is excellent, and his ability to link up with Hazard gives Chelsea a major attacking threat. By passing to Giroud, you bypass the midfield battle and get the Gunners facing their own goal.

You also get into the final third of the pitch more quickly where the Belgian midfielder can do his magic. If we don’t see Giroud starting, I would fear for the Blues, especially with Kante missing. With his inclusion, they have the opportunity to mix things up.

Considering his regular game tim in the competition so far, though, I’m willing to bet the French target man will be in the starting line up.