League Cup: Arsenal must shape up or ship out ahead of Chelsea clash

Arsenal players celebrate a goal against West Brom during an EPL tie last December. pic/Getty Images

Arsene Wenger has warned his Arsenal flops that new recruits are on the way as the furious Gunners boss prepares for tonight's League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Wenger's side suffered one of the most chastening defeats of his increasingly tarnished reign on Sunday as second tier Nottingham Forest won 4-2 in the FA Cup third round.

Arsene Wenger

The Frenchman prioritised the League Cup showdown with Chelsea by keeping his main men fresh for the first leg clash at Stamford Bridge means he can ill-afford a damaging defeat against Antonio Conte's men. Wenger insists the Gunners will do business during the transfer window in an effort to turn things around. Chile forward Alexis Sanchez could be sold to Manchester City and Wenger wants several fresh faces to arrival as soon as possible. Asked whether there could be developments this week, Wenger said: "Yes, because we are in the second week of January and, after that, it passes quickly. We signed a Greek boy (Mavropanos). but apart from that, we have not done anything. Will we be out there to do something? Yes we will."

Arsenal's last League Cup-winning campaign came in 1993, with the Frenchman's team losing in both his final appearances in 2007 and 2011. To return to the final, Wenger knows Arsenal need a positive result at the Bridge ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on January 24. But the Gunners, who drew both Premier League encounters with Chelsea this season, haven't won at their London rivals since 2011.

15 No. of times Arsenal have reached the League Cup semi-finals - only Liverpool (17) have played in more
One No. of times the Gunners have won in their last nine visits to Stamford Bridge across all competitions
Four No. of times Chelsea have progressed from their last five League Cup semi-finals (2005, 2007, 2008 and 2015)

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