The Football League Cup has been the ugly duckling for as long as I can remember, even more so since the growth in the Premier League and the expanded Champions League, which dwarf it more now than at any time in the past and to such a degree that most newer fans, particularly from our worldwide fan base, consider it more of an irritant and an unnecessary risk to the squad’s health. I get that, but I have history with this competition myself, it’s given me a lot of pain and it’s an itch I need to scratch so winning for a third time is important to me. It would kind of exorcise Birmingham and Chelsea in Cardiff, Man City at Wembley and last season vs Newcastle as well as the many many more rotten memories I carry from this competition.
Arteta, possibly with that Newcastle game still burning in his memory went full gas at the Bridge as all the big guns came back except Kepa who kept his place alongside Gabriel and White from the Portsmouth FA Cup game. Havertz, Martinelli, Madueke, Jesus and Merino were all on the bench to provide any added goal threat if we needed it. Liam Rosenior was missing three big names who’ll almost certainly be in the line up at the Emirates but Arsenal will hopefully have Calafiori and Mosquera back.
Arsenal hadn’t scored a single goal in all four legs of their previous two League Cup semi-finals but after 7 minutes that all changed as Declan Rice drove a corner into the Chelsea box and among the chaos Ben White found a narrow gap to head into the net. VAR desperately checked for an offside by Gyokeres but given that he’d been deliberately pushed into the net by his marker, the goal stood.
After that Arsenal spent the following few minutes all over the Pensioners and really should have extended their lead. Odegaard and Co. pressed really hard, but despite some close calls the good guys couldn’t get that crucial 2nd goal. There was a definite nervousness around the stadium so all it needed was a gentle push and we could have been coasting, but wasteful finishing again let us down.
On 15 minutes Zubimendi, who was having a great game, found Viktor who despite a Chelsea defender being all over him got off a shot that Sanchez saved. From the corner Saka dropped it into the danger area but the referee gave Sanchez a soft free kick. On 24 an Odegaard free kick was cleared and Zubi fired over the bar then on 29 Trossard went on a mazy run into the box but didn’t pull the trigger early enough and it was blocked for a corner. On 31 Kepa made a great save from a smart shot by the dangerous Estevao.
40 minutes saw a long throw by Rice cause some chaos and as the ball pin balled as it eventually came to Saliba who hit a great drive that just clear the bar. On 43 Cucurella was eventually booked and that saw him being less on a pest every time Saka got the ball, all the same I’d still like to thump him! With Arsenal pushing but Chelsea looking dangerous on the break the referee brought proceedings to a close. Half-Time 0-1
It was frustrating as Arsenal should have had at least a second goal but that’s the story of our season up till now. No changes at half-time but within 4 minutes of the restart Arsenal got that well deserved 2nd goal. Saka escaped the octopussy attentions of Cucurella and surged down the right flank where he found his old mucker Ben White. Ben charged into the box and hit a low hard cross that Sanchez did poorly with and Viktor-on-the- spot tapped home. Those are the kinds of goals we bought him for, the tap ins. We had this now. The Arsenal were singing about Wembley.
On 53 minutes Liam Rosenior made two subs, one was Garnacho, but more of him later, a minute afterwards Odegaard got off another great drive which Sanchez saved, if only Martin had that ability or gift to replicate the Lampard deflection shot that was the Coventry City managers trademark.
On 57 Chelsea eventually got their reward for going for it when a ball into the Arsenal box ended with Garnacho on the far post who fired past Kepa, no blame on the goalkeeper but our defending was below par in that phase of play.
The Chelsea fans woke up and suddenly all the Sloane Rangers were going potty, Arsenal needed to ride out the storm. On 59 minutes Odegaard fired wide following a corner then on 67 minutes and memories of Real Madrid as our own Declan Rice addressed the ball crossed our collective minds, unfortunately though it sailed over the bar. The next minute Arteta sent on fresh legs Martinelli for Trossard and Merino for Odegaard. Odegaard had ran himself to a standstill whilst Trossard may not have been 100% fit.
Arsenal gradually regained dominance and on 71 minutes what should have been the goal that killed the tie was scored. Merino did some amazing tiki-taki on the edge of the area and knocked an inviting ball towards the penalty spot, Gyokeres was fighting a defender as usual but got a key touch to Zubimendi who ran across the face of goal and fired home to cap a great performance. Chelsea were rocking and I expected us to add a 4th and on 76 minutes we almost got it when Merino got off a thunderous shot after great work by Saka and Viktor which Sanchez somehow saved. We were that close to finishing the tie off, but no cigar I’m afraid.
On 82 Arteta sent on Jesus for Gyokeres and Havertz for Rice and the balance of play switched again it seemed. Not blaming the subs of course it was just circumstances. A minute later a couple of Arsenal players lost their footing trying to clear and that opened the space Chelsea needed and the ball went across to Garnacho again and he scored. Was there a foul on Kepa from the initial cross, maybe? The physical attention on Kepa was no different from some of that that had earned Sanchez an earlier free kick a couple of times. Maybe Kepa should have been stronger when the ball was in the air but it is what it is.
After that there were no more obvious chances although both sides pushed hard. Chelsea, I’m sure, left the field relieved, Arsenal left it disappointed I suspect and Arteta will certainly feel a tad frustrated.
Offer me a one goal lead before kick off and I snap your hand off but I can’t help feeling that we let a 1-4 win slip to a 2-3 win with everything to play for in N.5.
We march on…
By Kev.
A shame they let those 2 goals in. However, I believe this is probably not a bad thing because if we were 3 goals up Arsenal may become lack at the return match. How many times have we seen this happen and end up with a draw. Chelsea will find it hard at the Emirates as Arsenal will push him hard and lets not forget the Arsenal fans – they will be in fine “feckle”!
Arsenal will succeed in getting to the Final. They are fired up now for silverware and this is a great opportunity for them to bag this one.
Excellent post Kev, thank you.
Morning to you and all.
I’d have snapped your hands off for a win at SB and I really didn’t expect us to do so. Can’t wait for the second leg because if Chavs were nervous at home, 60,000 Arsenal fans should have them rattled.
Nice one Kev thank you.
Bit of a kerfuffle at the end which the ref just stood and watched. A couple of Chelsea players were ranting at everyone within hearing, silly and petulant. But what we have come to expect from so many mediocre players.
Chelsea players like to kick up a fuss Cicero.