Stands to profit

Alexis Sanchez started on the bench, amid speculation surrounding the Chilean’s seemingly imminent move to Manchester City.

But Alex Iwobi, set to be fined by the club for being out partying 48 hours before the demoralising FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest, kept his place. Jack Wilshere skippered a Gunners side riddled with injuries.

Honours so far this season between the teams were even with two draws in the league games, but this tie for both managers suddenly seemed rather more important than it normally would be, with Manchester City intent on making the league a virtual lost cause. And alongside Wenger’s positioning there was another factor to take in, the Video Assistant Referee system was making its second appearance in the English game after a debut at Brighton on Monday.

The league draw between the two sides at the Emirates a week ago had been an amazingly open game. This one was more cagey but Arsenal created the first moment of real danger when Wilshere’s accurate pass saw Alexandre Lacazette galloping clear but the Frenchman volleyed over.

Chelsea replied as Moses’ stinging low shot was gathered by Gunners goalkeeper David Ospina. Then the Chelsea wing-back fired in another effort that Ospina spilled but Arsenal managed to clear.

Wenger muttered unhappily in the press box, arms waving. Several times the board in front of his seat was booted.

N’Golo Kante shot over but then Chelsea failed to clear their lines and Iwobi’s snapshot from the edge of the area had to be turned away by the diving Thibaut Courtois.

But the clearest chance of all fell to Fabregas, who ran in behind the Arsenal defence on to Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross but headed straight at Ospina.

Chelsea went close again when Marcos Alonso flicked on Kante’s cross, but Christensen headed over at the far post.

Conte’s side piled on the pressure at the start of the start of the second half, as at long last the semi-final seemed to spark itself into life, and Alonso went close with a header as once again the Arsenal defence looked vulnerable from set-pieces.

Then Morata found himself in space 25 yards out but Ospina pulled off the save to deny the Chelsea front man.

Wenger’s team then suffered a major blow as Wilshere limped off before Morata again found a way through, only to hit the side-netting.

Moses went close with a fierce low shot that was deflected just over the bar – and from the corner another good opportunity went begging, as Christensen headed wide as the first leg finished goalless.

CHELSEA (3-5-2): ARSENAL Booked: (3-4-2-1): Booked: Referee: