Arsenal make the trip across London today to take on Chelsea in the first of two legs as we look to secure a place in the final of the Carabao Cup.
This will be a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final, in which our side defeated the already crowned Premier League champions of last term, and the fact that Antonio Conte has only managed one competitive win over Arsene Wenger in six encounters should leave us with some confidence.
Many pundits and former players alike are already writing off our chances tonight, with our defence looking shaky in recent weeks, and our form matches that, but Wenger will be putting out a strong side today despite knowing that a draw could well be enough to set us up to win on aggregate.
We look set to take on Chelsea without Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi, while manager Arsene Wenger will also continue his touchline ban. There doesn’t appear to be any new absentees from our squad, and a number of changes is expected to be made to the side which started the weekend’s tie against Nottingham Forest.
Predicted XI:
Ospina
Bellerin Chambers Koscielny Maitland-Niles
Wilshere Elneny Iwobi
Ozil Lacazette Welbeck
This team is far from guaranteed with little known of Arsene Wenger’s chosen formation or system as he most likely attempts to try not to lose the game, more than make an attempt to win it.
I can see Wenger adopting a very cautious approach to the match in order to go all out to win at the Emirates. Chelsea on the other hand should be looking to attack, and that could well open them up on the counter.
I’d be reservedly happy with a 2-1 loss in the grand scheme of things, but I can see us coming away with a 1-1 draw, leaving all to play for at the Emirates in two weeks time.
Should a 2-1 loss be good enough to keep our hopes alive? Can we deny Conte a second win in seven attempts?
Pat J