A Blue Up North reviews the first leg of our Semi Final against Arsenal.
Wednesday evening saw the first leg of the semi final of The League Cup between Chelsea and Arsenal. It came just a week after the same 2 sides played out an exhilarating entertaining 2-2 draw in the Premier League but sadly this tie could not live up to those heady heights.
Antonio Conte had an almost fully fit squad to choose from and opted for the 3-5-2 formation he has favoured this season against the bigger clubs. But with an Arsenal squad missing the likes of Cech, Koscielny, Monreal, Ramsey, Ozil and Giroud surely the Chelsea manager missed a trick.
After recent results between the 2 sides have seen the Champions being outplayed by a weakened but strong willed Arsenal side, Conte could’ve been bolder in his selections. In their Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge earlier this season a weakened but fully committed defensive display by The Gunners earned a deserved 0-0 draw against a strong home side that could not break them down.
And so it proved again. The 3-5-2 is a more defensive, Italian style approach but is made far worse attacking wise if non of the central 3 nor the wide players are constantly supporting the front 2. Otherwise Alvaro Morata is constantly surrounded by 3 defenders and Eden Hazard has to take on the whole defence whenever he receives the ball. When a central midfielder and the wing backs are pressing forward regularly, they immediately occupy some of the markers but it also means the opposition’s centre backs need to concentrate on more directions of attack, instead of only needing to stifle the front 2.
In the end, the home side created only a few real chances and the Arsenal defensive resilience held firm. Both Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Christensen were unable to convert headers and somehow the new Video Assistant Referees (VAR) system that was being trialed during the semi final matches was unable to correctly award the home side a penalty late on. However, all this resulted in the tie remaining poised at 0-0 going into the second leg at The Emirates on Wednesday 24 January.
Yes, Arsene Wenger will feel that his side did a number on Antonio Conte’s team again but The Blues’ manager will be very happy with not conceding an away goal. The Italian will feel that his side will be able to knock out an Arsenal side that will have to be more adventurous on home soil. With the away goals rule applying after extra time in the return leg, The Gunners will need a win whilst Conte will take his side to Wembley with any scoring draw.
It could well be advantage Conte.
Written by Jon Ellis, Chelsea home and away season ticket holder. Follow him on Twitter @ClitherBlue
