Arteta has been known to sew the seeds of confusion over the status of players before key games in the past and it remains to be seen whether he might indeed be ready to return to the side. That the Arsenal manager said that the injuries to both Trossard and Saliba were "nothing serious" does at least offer hope that they might be available.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, and Declan Rice certainly enjoyed the victory.

Mikel Arteta’s side began on the front foot and took the lead after seven minutes, Ben White heading home — virtually unchallenged — from a Declan Rice corner. The remainder of the first half failed to serve up any chances as good as that one, with an Estevao shot, well saved by Kepa, the closest Chelsea came to levelling it up.

Liam Rosenior has vowed to give Dario Essugo minutes in the coming weeks after an aborted appearance against Arsenal. The Chelsea manager called on the youngster to come on during Wednesday’s 3-2 home loss to the Gunners, only to change his mind.

Liam Rosenior's first home game as Chelsea manager ended in defeat as Arsenal edged a thrilling Carabao Cup semifinal first leg 3-2 at Stamford Bridge. The visitors had looked well set for the Wembley final in March after goals from Ben White and Viktor Gyökeres put them into a two-goal lead early in the second half.

Chelsea managed to score twice against Arsenal last night in the EFL Cup semi final first leg, including a goal after 83 minutes. That not only keeps the two legged tie alive, it also gave a bit of