Antonio Conte claims Arsenal’s decision to sell Alexis Sanchez has not gifted Chelsea an easy path to the EFL Cup Final.
Chelsea take on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their semi-final at Emirates Stadium tomorrow night with the tie delicately poised at 0-0.
Conte’s side go into the game knowing that Sanchez has completed a lucrative move to Manchester United in exchange for Henrik Mkhitaryan, who is cup-tied.
But the Chelsea coach has dismissed suggestions that it has made his task a more simple one and said: “I think Arsenal have a good squad. If you remember, in the (0-0) game at home in the League, Sanchez didn't play (start).
“It was the same in the (first leg) Carabao Cup – he played only 24 minutes. He played against us in the League (on January 3) and, if you remember, we were winning 2-1 with a few minutes to go (and they drew 2-2). I don't see any advantage about this situation.”
Conte has won just once against Arsenal in seven competitive matches since taking over Chelsea last year, which includes a defeat against them in the FA cup Final.
But asked if his side had a psychological problem against them, said: “Last season, we saw two different games. The first game was a disaster for us, because we lost 3-0 after 30 minutes. After that game, I think we changed a lot of things for us.
In Pictures | Chelsea vs Arsenal | EFL Cup semi-final
“Then, in the second game at home, we won 3-1 because Olivier Giroud scored on 92 minutes. Otherwise it would have finished 3-0 like in the first game.
“This season, the first game in the League finished 0-0, 2-2 in the second game. We are showing to be of the same quality. Two teams with the same values.
“When you play a lot of times and the final result is always in the balance, it means the teams are very close. After tomorrow there is not another game. We don't have another possibility. We have to try to reach the final like Arsenal.
“We have to enjoy every big challenge in this League. You have the possibility to play big games with strong teams.
“We are playing a lot of times against Arsenal. Both teams have reached the semi-finals. The other teams were eliminated. Now, in this competition, there are three top teams and another team [Bristol City]. It's very difficult to play against them.”
Should Chelsea progress, it would mean Conte has won the title and reached the final of both domestic cup competitions in less than two years.
He said: “For me, the players and the fans, it's an important target. Especially for me. In one and a half years here, I have the opportunity to win the League, play the FA Cup final, then the Community Shield and now, maybe, another final in the Carabao Cup.
“I have these possibilities, to play many finals in this country. This is very important for me and my players. But to get there we have a big challenge, a big game against them. Arsenal, for sure, want to get there as well.”