Arsenal stood firm in a Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg stalemate with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
A thrilling 2-2 Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium a week ago was followed by a cagey encounter here.
The Blues had the better opportunities to take a first-leg lead, but Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Christensen spurned headed opportunities either side of half-time in a 0-0 draw.
Former Gunners midfielder Fabregas wanted a penalty after a Danny Welbeck challenge after 88 minutes, but play continued after referee Martin Atkinson consulted Video Assistant Referee Neil Swarbrick.
Follow all the action, as it happened, below...
Chelsea XI:Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Drinkwater, Alonso; Hazard; Morata.
Subs:Eduardo, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Willian, Bakayoko, Pedro, Batshuayi
Arsenal XI: Ospina; Chambers, Mustafi, Holding; Bellerin, Wilshere, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles; Iwobi, Welbeck; Lacazette
Subs: Macey, Mavropanos, Mertesacker, Nelson, Elneny, Walcott, Alexis.
Jack Wilshere latest
Arsene Wenger has spoken out on Jack Wilshere’s ankle injury.
And he’s hoping its good news.
“He has an ankle sprain and the first look at it was not too bad, but of course for Sunday I think he will be short,” explained Wenger after the draw at Chelsea.
“I do not know how long he will be out. It is a shame to lose him when he is such good form and it was by blocking the shot that turned his ankle.
“It’s his good ankle so I am quite positive. It’s a ligament [problem].”
Wenger defends Sanchez
Arsene Wenger has once more declared that he hopes to keep Alexis Sanchez past the end of January.
The Chile forward was left out of the Arsenal starting lineup for the Carabao Cup semi-final stalemate against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
But he came on as a second-half substitute, putting in a lively display after replacing Alexandre Lacazette.
Manchester City are continuing their push to land Sanchez this month, with Arsenal believed to be holding out for £30million for the ex-Barcelona forward.
But Wenger continues to insist that, even as Sanchez’s contract ticks down and his departure looks increasingly inevitable, he wants him to stay.
Rejuvenated Jack Wilshere offers Arsenal hope
Rewind four months, and there appeared very little chance that Jack Wilshere would be remaining at Arsenal beyond the end of the season.
The England midfielder had spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, had again been forced to battle back from injury, and his £120,000-a-week contract was being allowed to dwindle.
However, having continually impressed as part of Arsenal’s Europa League team, and with injuries to others, Wilshere was handed a way back in.
He has taken it in recent weeks. And did so again tonight before injury.
Arsene Wenger confirms Coquelin exit
Has Francis Coquelin signed for Valencia.
“Yes”
Cheers, Arsene.
MATCH REPORT: Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal will go to the wire after both sides played out a bore draw.
Antonio Conte’s men, wasteful in front of goal in the 2-2 League draw with the Gunners last week, blew two good chances in the second half here.
The goal drought of Arsenal’s £44million striker Alexandre Lacazette was extended to eight games now with the Frenchman wasting a first-half opportunity.
Chelsea’s best chances came during the second half when Andreas Christensen headed over the bar from point blank range and Victor Moses had a goal bound shot blocked by Shkodran Mustafi.
In full and with 5 key talking points here
PEEEP! Full-time - Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
Can we get that 95 minutes back?
Game over and it’s goalless.
On January 24 they’ll go at it again.
We’ll hope it’s much better.
STAT!
Just over 15’ to go. And this game needs to be reignited.
Arsene Wenger will be quite pleased up in the press box.
Antonio Conte is chewing his finger nails on the touchline.
It’s not going the Italian’s way right now.
Good point well made.
Still a bit toothless from the home side this.
Wilshere off, Elneny on
Jack Wilshere has been outstanding tonight.
But he’s off 10 minutes into the second period.
Another injury for the England man.
Mohamed Elneny on.
A real shame.
First yellow card of the game.
Granit Xhaka, perhaps unsurprisingly.
Excellent from Rudiger, intercepting then striding forward.
Game on!
We’re back underway.
Chelsea immediately on the front foot.
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Half-time musings
So, 0-0 at the break.
Arsenal’s side have acquitted themselves well thus far, with Jack Wilshere - captain Jack - impressing at the heart of midfield.
Chelsea have had more of the ball, but aren’t really imposing themselves on the match.
David Ospina has made couple of saves, but unless Eden Hazard does something, the home side lack spark.
They need to go for the jugular more in the second period.
Then we’ll see if Arsenal remain comfortable.
Sanchez looks comfortable.
Popping his bubblegum bless him.
Martin Atkinson still hasn’t had to call on his VAR.
He’s had a word with Chambers and Azpilicueta over a bit of pushing, spotted by his assistant in the stands.
Or at the VAR centre.
Or wherever they are.
Anyway, 30’ gone. Still 0-0.
25' on the clock
Antonio Conte can’t be overly happy with what he’s seeing right now.
Alexandre Lacazette has got in behind once - blazing over - and while Chelsea have looked comfortable, they aren’t dominating as we perhaps expected them too.
Arsenal are growing in confidence...perhaps that will work in the Blues’ favour eventually, but right now, it’s Arsenal who are the more impressive of the twosome.
Jack Wilshere’s influence is growing on the game also.
No booking!
Surprising.
Looked a definite yellow.
Gag!
Decent gag tbf from the Arsenal fan.
He is a comedian.
So suppose he should make funny jokes about these things.
He hasn’t disappointed.
England boss in attendance
The England boss is in attendance.
He’s with his No.2 Steve Holland, who of course has very close Chelsea connections.
I guess he’ll be keeping a very close eye on Jack Wilshere, captaining the Gunners tonight.
10' gone
We’re 10 minutes through and not much difference so far.
Chelsea having a bit more of the ball, but Arsenal look organised so far.
When they lose the ball, the Gunners are dropping into a 5-4-1 shape.
Chelsea aren’t averse to tossing a long diagonal to Marcos Alonso though - and he’s up against Hector Bellerin tonight.
Wenger watches on...
Pretty even start so far.
Ominously for the away side, Eden Hazard - 27 now - looks on his game.
A couple of jinking runs already.
Wenger's taken his seat.
Arsene Wenger has taken his seat.
He’s not looking too comfortable in the press box
Wonder if he’ll be doing his own player ratings?
Here come the teams
The teams are out.
The fans are ready.
Who blinks first?
Game on....
He’s on the bench but he’s not held back in the warm up.
A lovely bicycle effort from the Chilean during a pre-game mess around.
Get ready
We’re closing on kickoff...
Here's how the subs look...
It’s all smiles among the Chelsea subs tonight.
Brazilian duo Willian and David Luiz both start on the bench.
Konstantinos Mavropanos however is on the Gunners’ bench for the first time.
He looks rather less jolly.
20' to go
The players are out warming up right now.
And yep, there’s Alexis Sanchez among their number.
His manager says he’s “focused” on tonight’s game.
So why is he only a sub?
I’m no Carol Vorderman, but this one doesn’t add up.
Pressure on Ospina
David Ospina’s in goal for the Gunners tonight.
Just as he was in the FA Cup final last season.
Arsenal won 2-1 in that tie.
It looks a long shot for similar at Stamford Bridge.
Seems the Chelsea mascots have found their own use for the pitchside VAR equipment.
Wonder what they’re up to?
Wonder if they know how to use it!