Chelsea vs Arsenal as it happened – EFL Cup semi-final first leg
All the action from goalless draw at Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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61' - Danny Welbeck's eyes light up as Ainsley Maitland-Niles' floated cross makes its way towards him... but Thibaut Courtois is off his line quickly to pluck the ball off the Arsenal forward's head. Good goalkeeping.
67' - Andreas Christensen has another superb headed chance to give Chelsea the lead but, under no challenge and with David Ospina in no man's land, the young defender nods the ball wide.
Jack Wilshere is seen to by Martin Atkinson before going off with an ankle injury
72' - Arsenal's Alex Iwobi skips past a couple of Chelsea players on the half-way line and drives forward with the ball but, with plenty of teammates up in support, the youngster brings the counter-attack to a swift halt with a painfully tame shot.
75' - David Ospina dives to his right to catch Willian's long-range shot.
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