tonight is the second leg of our game against Chelsea in the League Cup semi final. At 0-0 and the game being at home there is everything to play for. With the winner going on to play City in the final. Strange rule on away goals in the league cup with them not counting at 90 mins but being considered after 120. So a score draw isn't going to be good enough. It's either 0-0 all the way to penalties or we need to get the win. I'd like to see the team really go for it tonight and get to the final. Against Chelsea recently I feel like the desire to win is the thing that has pushed us over the line in the cup games. And with Sanchez leaving and results being hit and miss we could do with the lift of making it to a cup final. (The resident spud seems to only like league games the lazy ****!)
Looks like Fabregas and unfortunately Morata () are injured for this one. Ramsey and Monreal could both be back in the match squad for today.
We've got a good chance here. Since Sanchez's departure, the team has woken up and Ozil is playing like a demon. Should be a 50/50 game. Shame we won't see Mkhi.
Giroud and Welbeck definitely out. Monreal and Ramsey face fitness tests. The mirror is suggesting we will line up with: Ospina, Bellerin, Kosc, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Xhaka, El Neny, Wilshere, Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette Hopefully Ramsey and Monreal are fit as that improves the team slightly. If neither are even fit enough for the bench we have **** all to change the game other than youth.
Team: Ospina, Bellerin, Mustafi, Kosc, Monreal, El Neny, Wilshere, Xhaka, Ozil, Iwobi, Lacazette Subs: Marcy, Chambers, Kolasinac, Niles, Ramsey, Nelson, Nketiah
Looks like we are going to try and flood the midfield. I'm expecting us to play quite a pressing game.
Ref is being a pussy, should have been a yellownfor barkley for the challenge from behind on Kosc and a yellow for Christensen for the foul on Ozil when he blatantly ran into him to knock him over without trying to play the ball. Also should have had a free kick towards the end of the half for the blatant handball, hit from close but his arm is up above his head! Chelsea looking dangerous with the pace of there forwards and balls through the middle but fragile at the back at times. Unlucky not to sneak a goal by Ozil at the end. Ozil looking really up for it when he has the ball, he's been gliding past players. 1-1 with a half to play (more if no-one else scores) and we are still in with a chance to qualify. Need to up our game in the second half.
Definitely need to play better to get the win. Could go either way at the moment though as Chelsea not making the most of our slow start. If we get Ozil on the ball and someone else can make the right run or moment of being on his wavelength we could get the result.
You see Lacazette doesn't do much wrong he's a classy player BUT ... to be a TOP centreforward you need to be able to make a goal for yourself. This is why we need some like Aubmayeng now Sanchez is gone. We need a player who can win a game on his own.
You know Conte is similar to Wenger in the respect that he sets his team up to play a certain way and if things are working out... he doesn't really change anything tactically. Just more attackers or more defenders.
Great move, incredible pass by Ozil but Iwobi couldn't finish it. We have to be careful with Chelseas counter attacking. We are really fighting in this second half.
