It feels like it’s been a while since Arsene Wenger dipped into the Arsenal phrasebook, but the Frenchman is back with a vengeance after the Gunners’ 0-0 League Cup draw against Chelsea.

Speaking after the match, Wenger hailed Arsenal’s solidarity and spirit after we managed to keep out Chelsea’s six shots on target.

“I felt it was a game that was very intense physically, that was locked as well because the two teams were well organised and defended well,” he said after the match.
“You could see it was the first leg of a decisive tie and overall I must say we had a great solidarity, spirit in the side and overall it was a deserved 0-0.
“We couldn’t score in the last 20 minutes there, where there were opportunities that we didn’t use well, but overall we now have a job to do at home and we will do it.
“We have played Chelsea so many times that the two teams know each other very well and that’s why when the two teams decide to block the game, they can do it.” 

Joking aside, while the match was as dull as dishwater, Chelsea did probably deserve to win. And considering the Gunners were away at the Bridge, plus the state of our defending  and our threadbare squad, 0-0 is probably a good result.

We may laugh at the boss constantly bringing up mental strength about the same team that lost 4-0 against Liverpool, but whatever we did on Wednesday night worked.

Which side is going to be more annoyed at not managing the break the deadlock last night? Which side were at home against a really mediocre, injury-stricken team with a manager serving a touchline ban? Chelsea really should have had that in the bag.

Arsenal host Antonio Conte’s men for the second leg of the League Cup semi-final tie on January 24. Hopefully by then we’ll have a few more players fit, and won’t have to rely on our ‘spirit’ to push us over the line.