In the early hours of today, Arsenal successfully held Chelsea to a goalless draw in the first leg of their EFL Cup semifinal, playing a defensive masterclass away from home.

Since Antonio Conte took over as Chelsea manager, only three of their home matches across all competitions have ended without a goal. Two of those were against Arsenal, showcasing the Gunners’ ability to stifle Chelsea’s attacking force. Throughout the match, Chelsea had the upper hand, creating several good opportunities, but they were unable to break down Arsenal’s resolute defense. In the first half, Moses’ shot was blocked and hit the post, while in the second half, Arsenal’s midfielder suffered an injury in the 55th minute, forcing him to be substituted by Elneny.

In the 58th minute, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata also hit the post, further adding to their frustration. In the 66th minute, Alexis Sanchez replaced Alexandre Lacazette, but despite the changes, Chelsea could not find a breakthrough. The second leg will take place on January 25th, as both teams aim to settle the tie.

This match made history as it became the second-ever game in English football to use video assistant refereeing (VAR) after the FA Cup clash between Brighton and Crystal Palace just two days earlier. The incident occurred when Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck was suspected of fouling Cesc Fabregas in the penalty area. The referee, Atkinson, consulted the VAR to confirm his decision not to award a penalty, ensuring that the use of the technology was accurate.

The intensity of this clash was reminiscent of the drama found in a thrilling BD Cricket Match, where every moment is packed with anticipation and the outcome is never clear until the final whistle. As Arsenal continues to fortify their defense, Chelsea will need to find a way to break through in the second leg if they hope to keep their title hopes alive.