Antonio Conte not looking for revenge after Chelsea are drawn with Arsenal in the EFL Cup

Missed opportunity | Chelsea were denied the double by defeat to Arsenal

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Vaishali Bhardwaj21 December 2017

Antonio Conte insists he won't be out for revenge against Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals despite the Gunners' win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final last season.

Chelsea were drawn to play their London rivals in the last four of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night after the Blues beat Bournemouth 2-1 at Stamford Bridge while Arsenal saw off West Ham 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The two teams played out a goalless draw in the league in September which followed on from Arsenal's penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Arsene Wenger's side also beat the Blues 2-1 in the FA Cup final in May - which denied Chelsea the chance to claim the league and Cup double last season.

Chelsea's highs and lows of 2017

But Conte insists that Arsenal deserved to win the FA Cup final, and believes Wenger's men will prove difficult opposition to beat in the League Cup last four in January.

"For sure, it's a big game. A big game for us, a big game for Arsenal," Conte told reporters on Thursday. "But when you reach the semi-finals you must be ready to face a big team.

"In this case, we will be ready to face an important, tough game. As you know very well, Arsenal are a very good team and we must pay great attention."

When then asked whether he is out to exact revenge on the Gunners, Conte replied: "Last season we were able to win the league and reach the final of the FA Cup, which was a great achievement for us.

"For sure, I'd like to have won the FA Cup, but I repeat: when you face a big team, anything can happen. In this case, Arsenal deserved to win the trophy."