Charlie Nicholas has claimed that Arsenal’s defence has no idea what it is doing, and will be punished by Chelsea later on today.
The Gunners make the short trip across London to take on the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge tonight, in the opening leg o the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The two sides recently met at the Emirates to share the spoils with a 2-2 draw, but had Alvaro Morata been his usual self, you would have expected him to have put our side to the sword considering the chances our defence allowed him to gain.
Another showing of mistakes by our defence tonight will certainly see us punished, and Nicholas named the hosts as favourites for the tie.
Charlie said: “It was cracking 2-2 draw at the Emirates and Arsene Wenger has to pick a strong team here after making so many changes in the FA Cup, but so will Antonio Conte, which makes Chelsea favourites.
“Arsenal can have a day when the front three click and they’re fantastic going forward, but they are broken defensively.
“They have been for a while and they don’t know how to fix it, so Steve Bould must start making his voice heard.
“Arsene Wenger comes out and says we keep making the same mistakes and we all say, really? Is he finally starting to see the picture? His solution was a back three but that is still the same players with no idea how to defend.
“I don’t see too much hope for Arsenal and I just hope they can nick a goal to keep the tie going.
“I could see Alvaro Morata making up for his missed chances and getting a brace here, while I can also see discipline issues for a Arsenal given they don’t even seem to want to celebrate together when they’re winning.”
Will Wenger be able to get his defenders on point tomorrow? Is a clean sheet out of the question? Are the Blues only favourites due to their home advantage?
Pat J
The best defense is a good offense. Arsenal could have bad defenders, but they could pin Chelsea players down in their own area if their attacks are more flowing.
Arsenal have to surprise Chelsea with another formation, for instance the 4-3-3, because Conte seemed to know how to deal with Wenger’s 3-4-2-1 already. If Arsenal could utilize their inverted wingers better, they could force Chelsea’s wingbacks to stay back, which could lead to no supply for Chelsea’s attackers.
Klopp seems to have master the 4-3-3 formation, with emphasis on Liverpool winger’s attacks and it usually covered their weaknesses in defense. If Wenger could make his three speedy and skillful attackers communicate better in the front, Arsenal could beat Chelsea.
Kolsanic is out. Monreal is out. Mustafi and Koscielny are both not 100%. Wenger said Mustafi will have a late fitness test. Koscielny is a major doubt. Ramsey is out. Giroud is out. Worst of all Xhaka is out!!!
Hazard is back.
Hopefully, both Koscielny and Mustafi will start. If not we will need Chambers, Holding/Debuchy. Wilshere and Coquelin can start behind Ozil and Alexis.
Its going to be a tough night tonight innit
after that horror show against forest, I got no hopes in against Chelsea. we cant be lucky against them twice for sure. The are going to make a toast out of our clueless defence
Chelsea are a tired team.
Alexis will want to sign off
in style. So am expecting
an Arsenal win.
But its only the mickey mouse cup any ways.
The Liverpool v City game is the big game this week.
If City win it brings Liverpool back to Arsenal.
However if Liverpool win it stops City undefeated season.
Win win for Arsenal.
Arsene to get an extension
You want Wenger to get an contract extension?
How bad do we have to be before you are unhappy with him?
So, what the point beating chelsea in league cup…..
Just make europe and premiership most priority, no body care if we won league cup….
League cup is a trophy challenged for by every one in England so yeah, some of us care about it! I hope we go all out and win it we only have that and Europa..premiership we are guaranteed no trophy so why bother? Focus on Europa and league cup and we get 2 trophies and champions league. Liverpool are too strong for us.
When exactly was the last time we won at Stamford Bridge? When we had RVP & it was 5-3?
If I’m honest I’m not looking forward to it….. especially after that horror show on sunday
What defence? It’s non existent.