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.
Follow it live with our live blog below
84' - Eden Hazard is replaced by Tiemoue Bakayoko for Chelsea.
Hazard has been poor tonight.
86' - Granit Xhaka says he's had enough of Arsenal's patient play as he goes for goal from 30 yards. The shot is tame though and Thibaut Courtois makes a simple save.
87' - Mohamed Elneny picks up a booking for a foul on Alvaro Morata.
That proves to be Morata's last involvement in the match as he is immediately replaced by Michy Batshuayi.
90' - We'll have a minimum of five added minutes at the end of this one.
Full-time - Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Five minutes of added time pass without incident and Martin Atkinson blows the final whistle.
It will be all to play for when the two teams meet for the second leg at the Emirates in two weeks' time!
Post-match quotes from Arsene Wenger
His view of Arsenal's performance: "We showed great togetherness and discipline. I'm pleased with the spirit and determination we've shown.
"We wanted to be solid defensively. Ideally we wanted to score. We went close a few times but overall I believe the team responded really well."
On Jack Wilshere's injury: "It is an ankle sprain from what I've heard just now. How long will he be out? I don't know."
On whether he will delve into the transfer market this month: "At the moment we have five big injuries. Hopefully we will get some back. The earliest player to come back is Ramsey and that is quite welcome. If we didn't lose Jack tonight and we had Ramsey and Ozil back we would have quite a number, but we look a bit short."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Post-match quotes from Antonio Conte
His view of the match: "There is a bit of disappointment because it's important to try to win every game. We tried with all of our strength to win. We created chances to score but we weren't clinical enough."
On his decision to substitute Eden Hazard in the second half: "It was a tactical substitution."
Quotes from Sky Sports
Those quotes from Antonio Conte conclude our coverage of tonight's match. Thanks for tuning in.
Goodnight!
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