Arsenal will play Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley. An own goal from Antonio Rudiger and a strike from Granit Xhaka has seen them through after they were forced to come from behind from Eden Hazard’s early strike. Arsene Wenger continues to hold the edge over Antonio Conte in their meetings, with the loss leaving the Blues to focus on their battles on three fronts.
Here are the talking points of the match :
1.Disallowed Goal Of Chelsea At The Beginning Of The First Half :
Chelsea started the game in style but their first attempt of Goal was disallowed. Pedro believed that he had nodded Chelsea in front from Azpilicueta’s lofted pass, guiding his effort into the top corner. However, the flag was raised against the Spaniard for offside.
2.Hazard Gave Chelsea The Important Lead In The Match :
But soon they got the lead in the match from a brilliant strike of Eden Hazard. The Blues had come out of the traps firing on all cylinders. Pedro sent a through ball into the path of Hazard in the box and the Belgian made no mistake slotting his effort past Ospina. It was a great start for Conte’s men – a crucial away goal.
- Crucial Double Save Of Caballero :
Arsenal tried to get back in the match. Iwobi threaded the ball through to Wilshere in the box, but Caballero came off his line to make the block. The Argentine then managed to knock it away from the on-rushing Monreal to keep the Gunners at bay.
- The Gunners Were Back On Level Terms :
Arsenal were back on level terms after few moments. It was a bizarre one for the Gunners as Monreal heads at goal. It took a huge deflection off the head of Alonso before striking Rudiger flush on his head. The ball travelled with speed past Caballero to find the back of the net. Not the prettiest, but Arsenal were back in the game.
- It Was A Eden Hazard’s Show At The Beginning Of The Second Half :
Arsenal had seen more of the ball at the start of the second half, but Chelsea were looking dangerous on the counter as Hazard broke on the counter and surged between a couple of challenges. The Belgian took one touch before entering the box, but it was a poor one and it allowed Koscielny to make the covering challenge. Hazard broke free again and has only Ospina to beat as he raced through, but he stumbled over his own feet on the edge of the box to waste the opening. The Belgian collected Barkley’s pass on the edge of the box and struck at goal on his left foot, but it got deflected wide of the post.
- Xhaka Put Arsenal Ahead For The First Time In The Match :
The Gunners got another slice of luck in the box as Xhaka prodded home from close range. Lacazette caused problems down the right flank in the build-up and his attempted low cross into the box was deflected into Xhaka’s path. The midfielder instinctively sticked out his leg and diverted the ball past Caballero into the net.
- Iwobi Was Denied :
Iwobi was denied by Caballero. Arsenal surged through the Chelsea line as Bellerin released Ozil down the right. The German cut the ball back for Iwobi, but his low strike inside the box
was stopped by the foot of Caballero.
- Missed Set Of Opportunities For Chelsea :
Zappacosta sent a cross deep to the back post for Alonso to strike on the volley, but a wall of red and white shirts denied the Spaniard. Hazard lifted a corner into the box from the left flank and Rudiger rose highest to head at goal, but he could only direct his effort over the bar.
