Chelsea vs Arsenal as it happened – EFL Cup semi-final first leg

All the action from goalless draw at Stamford Bridge

Eden Hazard is challenged by Shkodran Mustafi (Getty)

Chelsea host London rivals Arsenal as the two teams face off in the EFL Cup semi-finals. The 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium last Wednesday was a compelling contest so let's hope for more of the same at Stamford Bridge this evening in the first leg.

Arsene Wenger continues his three-match touchline ban at Stamford Bridge having served the first game of his suspension during Arsenal’s 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Complaints about referees landed the Frenchman in hot water, but he’ll be delighted to know VAR is being used in both legs of this semi-final.

Alexis Sanchez begins the game on the bench while Alex Iwobi starts despite his partying antics last week. Eden Hazard starts for Chelsea, and new signing Ross Barkley is still on his way back from a hamstring injury.

Follow it live with our live blog below

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Key Points

• Five things we learned from Stamford Bridge
• Match report: Stubborn Arsenal hold Chelsea

[10 January 2018 19:42 · Liam Corless]

[10 January 2018 19:45 · Liam Corless]

We're just 15 minutes away from kick-off at the Bridge. Here's a reminder of tonight's team news: 

Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Alonso; Hazard, Morata

Chelsea subs: Eduardo, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi

Arsenal starting XI: Ospina; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette

Arsenal subs: Macey, Mavropanos, Mertesacker, Nelson, Elneny, Walcott, Alexis

[10 January 2018 19:50 · Liam Corless]

Pre-match quotes from Antonio Conte

On the importance of Chelsea reaching the final: "This is a trophy and every trophy is important for the players and for me. For this reason I want to try and get to the final. At the same time, we know very well that Arsenal want to do the same."

On VAR being used in tonight's match: "It's not bad because it's important to reduce the mistakes. You must have a bit of patience when you start a new thing. This can improve football in England."

Quotes from Sky Sports

VAR will be used in tonight's match 

[10 January 2018 19:55 · Liam Corless]

The players are in the tunnel at Stamford Bridge and kick-off is just five minutes away!

[10 January 2018 20:00 · Liam Corless]

1' - Referee Martin Atkinson blows his whistle to get tonight's match underway!

[10 January 2018 20:04 · Liam Corless]

5' - It's been a fairly slow start here. Arsenal have had most of the ball but both teams are still feeling each other out.

[10 January 2018 20:05 · Liam Corless]

The touchline-banned Arsene Wenger watches on from the press box 

[10 January 2018 20:09 · Liam Corless]

9' - Arsenal win the first corner of the match after a Marcos Alonso challenge on Hector Bellerin. Granit Xhaka takes it for the visitors but his delivery is dreadful and Chelsea clear the danger.

[10 January 2018 20:13 · Liam Corless]

13' - These early stages have been really, really cagey. We're yet to have a meaningful attack from either side.

[10 January 2018 20:15 · Liam Corless]

15' - Jack Wilshere, Arsenal's skipper on the night, plays a neat one-two with Alexandre Lacazette before threading Hector Bellerin in down the right wing. The Spanish full-back delivers a searching, low cross into the box but countryman Cesar Azpilicueta is there to make a clearance.

That was a lovely bit of play from Wilshere to start that move.