Chelsea vs Arsenal preview: Here’s where the massive Carabao Cup semi-final can be won and lost
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After a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Emirates in the Premier League last week, Chelsea and Arsenal go head-to-head once again on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Over the last decade the competition has become the ugly duckling of English football with the majority of top flight sides opting to field weakened teams and blood younger players.
But for Arsenal and, a to lesser extent Chelsea, this season’s competition has taken on greater importance.
The two clubs are unlikely to win the Premier League with Manchester City well on their way to clinching the title, and with Arsene Wenger’s side out of the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup is the Gunners’ last chance of clinching domestic silverware.
The Blues, meanwhile, remain in the Champions League and FA Cup but Antonio Conte has never won a cup competition as a coach. He will want to get that particular monkey off his back as soon as possible.
It’s why both clubs are expected to field strong sides at Stamford Bridge. And we asked our friends at Football Whispers to preview the semi-final.
Key battle: N’Golo Kante vs Mesut Ozil
Far too often during his time with Arsenal, Ozil has been criticised for what is perceived as lethargy during matches.
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But his performances in recent weeks have been excellent and at the Emirates last week, he was instrumental for the Gunners.
That was partly because Tiemoue Bakayoko did a poor job of shackling the German, who was constantly able to receive the ball in the space between the Frenchman and right wing-back Victor Moses.
It’s why Conte may opt for the more tactically disciplined Danny Drinkwater in midfield instead of the former Monaco man. And if that’s the case, it’s likely to mean N’Golo Kante is handed the brief of keeping Ozil quiet.
Kante was having to do the job of two men when the sides met last week – a reason why he contributed to eight defensive actions at the Emirates, almost double that of Bakayoko.
But with Drinkwater beside him, the diminutive midfielder should be able to focus on snuffing out Ozil without having to worry about covering the rest of midfield.
That doesn’t mean the Germany international won’t have an influence. Ozil is averaging 3.4 key passes per game this season and can beat an opponent with a simple body swerve, if he plays well Arsenal tend to.
Potential Match Winners: Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette
Since he joined from Real Madrid in the summer Morata has impressed in English football...and then came his horror show at the Emirates last week.
The Spaniard missed three clear one-on-one chances against the Gunners and it proved costly as the Blues were pegged back late into the game. Chelsea boss Conte said all the right things after that match, however.
"In this case, it's a pity because he had many chances to score,” the Italian said.
“But at the same time, I am very happy for his effort and commitment. When you have so many chances to score, you must win the game. But instead we are talking about a draw.”
Morata will be desperate to right last week’s wrongs at Stamford Bridge. He is involved in a Chelsea goal every 115 minutes this season but hasn’t contributed in his last three games.
He is due and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is on the scoresheet for Arsenal.
The Gunners, meanwhile, will need Alexandre Lacazette to rediscover his goal-scoring touch.
With Manchester City transfer target Alexis Sanchez’s future up in the air – there is no guarantee he’ll play given the interest from the Citizens – the French striker is Arsenal’s most likely match-winner.
He has scored eight goals this season and added four assists, but the last time he found the back of the net was against Manchester United in December.
Lacazette hasn’t been playing badly, however, with three of his four assists coming in the last four Premier League games. But a striker’s confidence is built off finding the back of the net and Arsenal fans will hope he rediscovers the knack against the Blues.
Managers' tactics
Chelsea will continue with a back three and with Eden Hazard is expected to return from an ankle injury, Conte is likely to continue with the 3-5-1-1 system he has been utilising since November.
The midfield three is expected to consist of Cesc Fabregas, Drinkwater and Kante, who will be charged with pressing and shutting down Arsenal’s midfield, which is usually made up of just two players.
That’s because Wenger has favoured a 3-4-3 shape. The Gunners have played with a back four once again this season but given it’s how they set up against Chelsea last week, the Arsenal boss is likely to stick with what he trusts.
That’ll mean a midfield two of Jack Wilshere and Granit Xhaka while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to continue at left wing-back after impressing in the last meeting.
Key stats
Antonio Conte has celebrated just one victory in his seven meetings with the Gunners in all competitions since the start of last season (D3 L2)
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Wenger has faced Chelsea more times than any other side, their meeting at the Emirates last week was the 60th occasion the Frenchman has come up against the Blues.
Chelsea have won the competition on five occasions and twice finished runners-up.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have clinched the trophy twice while finishing runners-up on five occasions.