Facing Chelsea twice in the space of a week is far from ideal but it should be entirely different to the 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
On Wednesday, Arsenal face Antonio Conte’s side for the second time in a week. Coming up against our London rivals is never exactly ‘pleasant’ but two times in seven days should be illegal to be honest.
On one hand, we have every reason to believe that the performance we see at Stamford Bridge will be exactly the same as at the Emirates.
Both teams might start off strong with points to prove and the attacking prowess to get behind the other side’s defence. Arsenal’s back four – or three – will look as if they’ve never seen a football before and make basic errors, which lead to goals.
However, on the other hand, it has the potential to be a completely different clash.
Here are five reasons I reckon it could be:
Everything to prove
Arsenal are coming off the back of a really, really embarrassing 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, which saw them knocked out of the FA Cup early.
We’re almost definitely not going to finish in the top four this season and winning the Europa League, considering some of our performances in the competition, seems like a bit of a reach.
Therefore, we need the League Cup now more than ever.
Arsene Wenger is yet to win it so there’s every reason to think that we might actually fight for this one. Especially if there’s a feeling that he’s leaving in the summer.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are still in the Champions League, as well as the FA Cup (if they win their replay against Norwich) and will almost definitely finish in the top four.
They don’t need it as much as us.
Squeaky bum time
I expect the energy among the team and fans to be far more anxious than at the Emirates.
In the Premier League, it would just be three points dropped if we lost. The Arsenal fans were in good voice and enjoying the frenetic London derby.
Although there are two legs to the League Cup semi-final tie, a poor result against a team like Chelsea will be hard to overturn.
On Wednesday evening, while I expect the traveling Gooners to be in fine voice, as they always are, I also reckon it could get tense very quickly if Arsenal don’t score or go behind early.
Conservative Arsenal
The Gunners are at the Bridge, which means that I don’t think Arsenal will try and take them apart the same way they did at home. If we do, we could be punished and the whole tie could go south very quickly.
There are two legs so a draw, in Wenger’s eyes, probably isn’t the worst outcome.
While I don’t think we’ll park the bus, I do think Wenger will instruct his men to be a bit more measured when they do go forward. Especially considering how poorly we’ve defended as of late – we need everyone to be well-organised and aware of their jobs.
“And it’s Aaaarsenal, Arsenal FC”
Even though Arsenal fans at the Emirates sang loud and proud for large spells during the Premier League match, I expect the travelling Gooners to be in even finer voice on Wednesday.
They always are.
Of course, I could be absolutely wrong. Arsenal could go on to disappoint us yet again. I hope I’m right.
As they say, it’s the hope that kills you, isn’t it?