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Arsenal secured their place in the last four of the Carabao Cup with a thumping 5-1 win over Sunderland in midweek, a victory that placed them into the hat to face an all Premier League lineup.
Eddie Nketiah’s hat-trick and a goal apiece from Nicolas Pepe and Charlie Patino wrapped up the win, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side to watch on as Wednesday’s matches unfolded.
Tottenham narrowly secured a 2-1 win over West Ham, a much-changed Chelsea won 2-0 away at Brentford and Liverpool came from 3-1 down at home to Leicester to win on penalties.
When it came to who supporters would rather draw in the semi-final, there was an overwhelming clamour for there to be a tasty north London derby on the cards. Not only are they the weakest team on paper, over two legs there would be more chance of beating Spurs than either of the other two.
Arsenal: 3 reasons why drawing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals isn’t that bad as Arteta’s side eye Wembley silverware
Antonio Conte’s side have improved since he took over, notably going from being 20th in the Premier League running stats straight up to first, but they nonetheless were fortunate to claim a 2-1 win over a second-string West Ham side on Wednesday. Arsenal, meanwhile, hosted a stronger version of the Hammers at home and blew them away.
And, of course, it’s Tottenham. Playing them is brilliant as it’s a chance to beat them. It’s as simple as that.
But, alas, there is no need drumming on about the potentials when the reality is that Arsenal have been drawn with title-chasing Liverpool. Playing at home for the first leg three days after hosting Manchester City in the league, it’s then Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup five days later, and Anfield two days after that. Tottenham away and Burnley at home complete the brutal January fixture list.
This is a trophy that Arsenal want to win. That the fans want to win. Liverpool may throw a large spanner in the works, but it might actually be one of the better draws Arsenal could have hoped for. You have to beat the best to be the best, and Arsenal might be in a good place to do so.
1. Liverpool Will be Without Mohamed Salah & Sadio Mane
It’s AFCON!
Clubs across the Premier League will have to bid farewell to a host of their top talents as the biannual competition takes place this winter, and Liverpool will come off worst of all.
Being the best player on the planet means that Mohamed Salah is obviously going to be missed. It’s handed Manchester City, for example, a helping hand in their quest to secure a successive league title.
As magnificent as their starting lineup is, the drop off in quality in forward areas is pretty stark for Jurgen Klopp’s side. And with Sadio Mane, the usual scorn of Arsenal, also jetting off with Senegal, it’s going to be a distinctly less frightening Reds front line.
Jota could move wide with Roberto Firmino centrally, which opens up a space for one of Takumi Minamino or Divock Origi to come in. The latter two are more than decent players, they just aren’t a scratch on Salah and Mane. Mane has seven goals and two assists in 11 games against Arsenal.
Of course, it works both ways. Arteta won’t be able to call upon Thomas Partey, the biggest miss of all, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny will all be making way.
Still, of the two sides, it’s clear which one is hurt most.
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2. Jurgen Klopp Never Fields a Strong Team in the Carabao Cup
If there is someone complaining about the fixture schedule, it’s probably Klopp. Near enough most of the time he’s right, mind, and the result is that he rotates heavily in this competition.
Already without three of his squad for AFCON, Liverpool are also set to travel to Chelsea on January 2 for a huge clash in the title race. They’re schedule is as packed as anyone’s.
But historically he’s always see this competition as a chance to introduce academy players. In the 3-3 draw with Leicester where Liverpool needed a 95th minute Minamino equaliser to take the game to penalties, he fielded 18-year-old Conor Bradley at right-back, 19-year-old Billy Koumetio at centre-back and 19-year-old Tyler Morton in midfield.
With Chelsea a matter of two or so days before the first leg, it’s expected he’ll rotate again. That’s not to say Arteta won’t either, but he has used the lack of European football this season as a chance to maintain his first team squad in the Carabao Cup as much as he can with only one non-first team player, Charlie Patino, featuring in the competition so far.
Nothing suggests Arsenal are going to beat Liverpool over two ties, but looking at Klopp’s preferences (the league) and them missing two of their best players, it will offer some solace to Arsenal fans that this tie might not be so cut and dry.
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3. Carabao Cup Semi-Finals Could Go to One-Leg
This is a hypothetical case, but also a possible one.
Firstly, two-legged semi-finals in domestic competitions are silly. It’s 2022, players play an unreal amount of matches anyway, and the plethora of international tournaments and Covid-cancellations just add to the collection.
There is no need for this tie to be played over two legs. Have a one-off game and be done with it. Whatever happened to the neutral grounds, eh? FA Cup semi-finals at Villa Park etc.
In any case, those who opposed this being a home and away tie may get their wish as there is a possibility that two legs are scrapped in this competition for the second season running. Due to congestion and rising Covid cases, the change is under consideration. Conte, and Klopp, have already expressed their desire for it to happen.
"“I think it would be better with one game absolutely, but obviously what I say is not too important,” Klopp said. “If there are two games, then we will play two games. But it would be helpful if there was only one. The draw has us at Arsenal – I’m fine with that, we play there and see who is better and go for it.”"
That last point is what is interesting. With Arsenal having been drawn as the ‘home team’, the likelihood is that the solitary leg would be played at the Emirates Stadium.
It would be hugely unfair (and quite literally the luck of the draw) but with such a superb home record this season you’d back Arsenal to be able to beat this exceptional Liverpool side over one leg.
Enough reason to be hopeful? Sure, and that’s without considering that Arsenal might Liverpool because, well, they’re not that bad of a team themselves.