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.
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www.bbc.com
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