Jan 24, 2018 at 8pm UK at ​Stamford Bridge (London)
Attendance: 58,964
Arsenal
2-1
Chelsea
Rudiger (12' og.), Xhaka (60')
Wilshere (31'), Monreal (66')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Hazard (7')
Hazard (17'), Moses (62')

Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal were scared in first half against Chelsea'

Wenger: 'Arsenal scared in first half'
© Offside
Arsene Wenger admits that Arsenal were "a bit scared" to confront Chelsea in the first half of their EFL Cup semi-final second leg, which finished 2-1 to the Gunners.

Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal were "a bit scared" to confront Chelsea in the first half of their EFL Cup semi-final second leg.

The Gunners found themselves 1-0 down after just seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night due to an Eden Hazard strike.

However, the hosts drew level five minutes later thanks to an Antonio Rudiger own goal before Granit Xhaka struck the winner on the hour mark for a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in the final.

"In the first half we gave Chelsea too much respect and distance," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "We were a bit scared to go for it and we suffered from that.

"We were not playing in the right position but we amended that in the second half and took control of the game.

"We knew we could perform better in the second half and that's what we did. In the first half we watched them play a bit but we were tighter after the break.

"We have some time to prepare for the final but we are happy to take our fans to Wembley. We've been there a few times now and we're happy to be going again."

Arsenal will face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in action during his side's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on October 1, 2017
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City24212170185265
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd24165349163353
3Chelsea24155445162950
4Liverpool24138354292547
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs24136547222545
6Arsenal24126645311442
7Leicester CityLeicester249783632434
8Burnley249781921-234
9Everton2477102639-1328
10Watford2475123344-1126
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham2468103042-1226
12Bournemouth2467112536-1125
13Crystal Palace2467112237-1525
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2466121941-2224
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2465132234-1223
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2458111733-1623
17Stoke CityStoke2465132550-2523
18Southampton24410102435-1122
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom24311101931-1220
20Swansea CitySwansea2455141535-2020
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