Arsenal face Chelsea in League Cup semi despite injury-hit defence

LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be without defenders Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, while William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are doubtful, the Spaniard said on Tuesday.

Hincapie picked up an injury during last week’s goalless draw with Liverpool, and Arteta said he was unsure how long the player would be sidelined. Calafiori has been out since last month with a muscle injury.

“Willy and Leo… are doubts because they are not fit enough. Nothing serious,” Arteta told reporters.

With Hincapie and Saliba unavailable, Arsenal have only four senior defenders for the clash: Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White, and 16-year-old Marli Salmon.

Despite the defensive issues, Arteta said Arsenal were determined to make amends in the League Cup after last season’s semi-final exit, losing both legs 2-0 to Newcastle United.

“Football gives you another chance. We have been really consistent again in the competition and now we have to knock another big team out to be in the final. That’s the mission,” he said.

Arteta added: “Hopefully, we learn from last year because it was painful, especially the manner in which the games went and the amount of chances we missed. Hopefully, this year we are better and more efficient.”

The semi-final will also mark Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s first game against a fellow Premier League club since his appointment, following a debut win over Championship side Charlton Athletic.

Arteta, a former Arsenal player, recalled facing Rosenior in the 2014 FA Cup final, when Rosenior played for Hull City.

“I know people that have worked with him. They talk really highly of him, so I wish him all the best… apart from tomorrow,” Arteta said.