Chelsea started the game brightly, as they did so ruthlessly against Brighton at the weekend, putting the ball in the back of the net after just four minutes through Pedro. “We have signed Ross (Barkley) and I’m sure we are trying to get other players who can improve the team”.
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In a tale of two halves, where Chelsea, despite their dominant first-half performance could not replicate the form into goals, while Arsenal was lucky enough for both their goals scored in the night where midfielder Granit Xhaka snatched the victor midway through the second half to book Arsenal’s place in the Wembley final.
It was thanks to two gruelling fixtures against the Canaries that his Chelsea side were exhausted on Wednesday night, eventually overrun by an energised Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinal. Therefore it might well be the long-standing Arsenal manager’s final realistic opportunity to bask in the glow of silverware on February 25.
Dembele has been an unused substitute in Celtic’s last two games, with the club choosing not to play him over fears of a lack of focus. In remarks that have not gone unnoticed by the board, Conte said: “I think the club decide our transfer market”.
Unfortunately for Antonio Conte’s side, Willian’s departure robbed them of one of their main attacking threats, and his replacement would have little impact in the match.
He has now made 13 appearances under boss Arsene Wenger in the league and Southgate admits he could be playing his way into the World Cup squad.
Does Wenger deserve much of the credit for our win yesterday?
One positive from an otherwise disappointing night was a debut for Ross Barkley, the £15m signing coming off the bench in the first half to replace the injured Willian and getting his first minutes of competitive football under his belt since May. He was not backed enough by the club in terms of signings that he had wanted for the season, the Italian believes. “Also in the second half I saw a lot of balance”.
“At the moment, they look unstoppable, and we will have to be at our best to beat them”.
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Riyad Mahrez was at the Emirates Stadium for the game and was seen leaving the Stadium by some fans. “We have to keep pushing so the next few weeks we have very important games and we need everybody 120 per cent”. Under Antonio Conte, Chelsea lost their invincibility against Arsenal.
