Liam Duckstein
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will not be distracted by mounting defensive problems as they prepare for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners will be without defenders Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori for the trip across London, while William Saliba and Leandro Trossard remain doubts, the Arsenal manager confirmed on Tuesday.
Arteta admitted he is unsure how long Hincapie will be sidelined after the defender picked up an injury during last week’s goalless Premier League draw with Liverpool. Calafiori, meanwhile, has been out since last month with a muscle problem and could still be several weeks away from a return.
“Willy and Leo are doubts because they are not fit enough. Nothing serious,” Arteta told reporters. “But for tomorrow, they are not ready.”
With both Hincapie and Saliba potentially unavailable, Arsenal could travel to Stamford Bridge with just four senior defensive options. Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and 16-year-old Marli Salmon are the remaining recognised defenders at Arteta’s disposal.
Despite the injury concerns, Arteta made it clear Arsenal’s objective remains unchanged. The Spaniard is determined to guide his side back to the League Cup final after the disappointment of last season, when Arsenal were eliminated by Newcastle United following 2-0 defeats in both semi-final legs.
“Football always gives you another chance,” Arteta said. “We have been really consistent again in this competition and now we have to knock out another big team to reach the final. That’s the mission.”
He also pointed to lessons learned from last year’s painful exit, particularly Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge in key moments.
“Hopefully, we learn from last year because it was painful, especially the way the games went and the number of chances we missed,” Arteta added. “This year, we need to be better and more efficient.”
Wednesday’s semi-final will also mark Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s first meeting with a fellow Premier League side since taking charge at Stamford Bridge. Rosenior began his tenure with a win over Championship side Charlton Athletic at the weekend.
Arteta, a former Arsenal midfielder, recalled facing Rosenior during the 2014 FA Cup final, when Rosenior was playing for Hull City.
“I’ve seen a few pictures of that,” Arteta said. “That’s the beauty of football. Two very different careers, but now we face each other tomorrow in a semi-final at Stamford Bridge.”
“I know people who have worked with him and they speak very highly of him. I wish him all the best — apart from tomorrow.”