It's the Carabao cup semi final second leg tie as Chelsea football club prepare to face Arsenal at the Emirate stadium. In the previous meeting, the sides played out a goalless draw at the Bridge.
Though Chelsea may be slightly privilaged knowing a score draw can help them pass through to the final with Manchester City at Wembley on February 25. However, Arsenal still have a strong hope of a home advantage.
Meanwhile, it's no news anymore of the transfer of Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Arsenal, the transfer which saw Sanchez move over to Manchester United on a swap deal. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is cup tied and won't feature for the home-side, although Arsenal officially released a statement recently that the player will wear the number 7 shirt in most competitions, but will be giving a different shirt number in the ongoing Europa competition because Alexis Sanchez had previously wore it from the beginning of the tournament.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's speech about Henrikh Mkhitaryan:
“He can play in different positions, but personally I see him first in a wide position, but I’m thinking about him a possibility to play through the middle. You are certain in our job of nothing, that’s absolutely sure. But you believe and I believe he has the qualities to do well, is a team player and our game is based on team attitude and movement and I think he can absorb the quantity of movement in our team.”
On the other hand, Chelsea's manager Antonio Conte won't have some of his key players available for this fixture, this is dew to injuries disturbing the squad. Although source has it that Andreas Christensen is back from injury and will be featuring in today's semi final tie against the gunners.
From last season to this season, both clubs have played against each other for more than five times, which makes the both sides no strangers to each other.
Since the last Community Shield tie where Arsenal won the match on penalty kicks, there have been nothing to separate the two side on the rest other matches till date as all matches have ended in draws.
INJURY AND TEAM NEWS
Arsenal will be without Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud, both players have been sidelined with a groin and hamstring problems. The good news for the gunners is that Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal are expected to be back in the squad. Since Arsenal have no FA cup in the coming weekend, Ozil and Lacazette are therefore expected to start for the home-side.
For Chelsea, the blues will be without Alvaro Morata and Cesc Fabregas, both Spanish players won't be traveling along with the squad to Emirate due to Hamstring and back problems. It's still unclear whether Danny Drinkwater and Gary Cahill will be available for this match as both players faces late fitness tests.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a London Derby match, the match looks a bit difficult to predict as none of the team would like to taste defeat tonight. Looking at their recent forms, the home-side have always being in a better position to dominate the most, and in this one I see the same thing happening at the Emirate tonight. From my analysis, the home side Arsenal may likely dominate most part of the game, and Chelsea most likely will be relying on a counter attacking football.
And that's all for the Carabao cup semi final match review.
Photo/Link Sources:
www.bbc.com
www.skysports.com
I remain your dearest @andrewade
Same line up as against Brighton (obviously Courtois in for Willy if Tbo is fit). Keep what was working going. Luckily for us we just have to manage not to lose as away goals do come into effect after Extra Time. So if tomorrow ends in another 2-2 draw like we saw at the Emirates earlier this month, we would go through to the Final after Extra Time. I'm feeling slightly good about this going in though I think a big reason is because of the slight confidence boost we got at Brighton on Saturday.
I know we all want to see attacking football, but playing a 3-4-3 against Arsenal at the Emirates where they are strong, and also factoring in past results where we played 3-4-3 in arguably better form with a better team we got destroyed. Which is one of the big reasons why we changed to a 3-5-1-1 in the first place. Also this is the only semi realistic chance for them of getting any silverware this season, I can imagine them going all out and destroying us in midfield if we play with 2 in the middle. It's just too risky to try play attacking football in these circumstances imo, as much as we'd like to see it.
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It's great reading your opinion concerning the match and your supported team in particular. Arsenal are very much stronger while at home, Conte should have known by now that his formation and tactics are always easy before Arsene Winger. It's clear for everyone to see, their recent meetings since Conte's arrival, shows it's way easier for Arsenal playing Chelsea comparing to the old days of Didier Drogba and even Diego Costa.
Another thing is the kind of players that will be on the pitch, if players like Bakayoko are on the starting lineup, then it's clear they are going into the game with a defending-counter attacking football, and this is what I expect to happen...
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