League Cup
Result: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Date: 10 January 2018
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Chelsea and Arsenal played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge. Alvaro Morata nearly gave the Blues a first minute lead after he was sent through on goal by Eden Hazard but the Spanish striker's shot sailed wide from a difficult angle. Victor Moses attempted to catch David Ospina off his line in the 11th minute with a first-time strike from outside the box, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Moses got another opportunity in the 23rd minute after being setup by Danny Drinkwater but his left-footed strike was parried away by Ospina. The match was free flowing and open after 35 minutes but Antonio Conte's charges were getting the better opportunities while the Gunners struggled with the final ball in the last third. Five minutes before the halftime break, Alex Iwobi almost broke the deadlock after being gifted space to turn and shoot in the box, but Courtois came to the rescue with a brilliant save. The Blues had a good start to the second half as they pressurised the visitors with a number of attacks in the opening 10 minutes. Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere could not continue with the match after the hour-mark owing to an injury and was replaced by Mohamed Elneny. Arsene Wenger made his second substitution in the 65th minute by bringing on Alexis Sanchez in place of Alexandre Lacazette while Conte made responded three minutes later by introducing Willian for Drinkwater. Willian almost made an immediate impact with a thumping strike 10 minutes before time but Ospina had it covered. Sanchez had a chance to seal the match five minutes before time with a free-kick from just outside the area but his strike could not dip in time to find the target. Nevertheless, neither side could find a winning goal in the closing stages and had to settle for a goalless draw.
