Gary Cahill says Arsenal gameplan will suit Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final

Gary Cahill believes Chelsea have nothing to fear when they face Arsenal in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Chelsea have beaten their rivals just once in their last six competitive meetings, but the England international is convinced the Blues can progress to the final next month.

Arsenal go into the game boasting the worst defensive record of the top seven clubs in the Premier League and having been beaten by Nottingham Forest 4-2 in the FA Cup Third Round on Sunday.

Cahill said: "We have nothing to fear, but we have lots of respect for them.

"They are a very good team obviously but nothing to fear from our point of view. Our recent record against them has to change for us to go through.

"We don't want this to go to extra time in the second leg, we have enough games as it is. The last couple of times against Arsenal at Wembley have not been successful. But I’ve been on the end of a few wins against Arsenal, especially at Stamford Bridge."

The club captain believes Chelsea can capitalise on Arsenal's open attacking style to reach the Final.

This evening's match comes just a week after the two sides played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the League, with the Blues missing a host of chances to claim all three points.

Chelsea's ability to create opportunities at Emirates Stadium was in complete contrast to matches against lower opposition, who have played more defensively, this term.

In the last month alone, Chelsea have failed to score against West Ham and Everton in the League, while they were held to a goal-less draw by Norwich City in the FA Cup.

When asked if Chelsea are looking forward to facing Arsene Wenger's more adventurous tactics, Cahill replied: "Yes. I think the League game against Arsenal last week was incredible. We were disappointed not to get the three points. I felt we had the better chances in that game.

"They attacked with numbers, but didn’t really get back with numbers, so it exposes them defensively. We have attacking players who can hurt you. Everyone saw that last week.

"When you play a game like against Norwich, West Ham and Everton, you are looking for a that bit of brilliance. You can see the bodies behind the ball, you can see its’s hard. If you have build-up play, they have time to get back behind the ball.

"You are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary - and a bit special and it wasn’t quite there."

But the 32-year-old feels Chelsea must beware of repeating the mistakes they made in their last encounter with the Gunners.

He continued: "We are playing at home, so we are not looking to sit back and soak up any sort of pressure. We are looking to go forward and attack them.

"But at the same time, I felt the last game was a bit open. I’m sure the manager, who knows better than me, might tweek it tactically a little bit.

"That game last week was very dangerous, it could have finished 6-6. It was not ideal."

Meanwhile, Cahill has backed Willy Caballero to star in goal if Conte decides to pick him ahead of first choice Thibaut Courtois.

The 36-year-old has played in every round of the League Cup so far, but Standard Sport revealed yesterday that Conte was considering Courtois instead.

Caballero joined as a free agent from Manchester City in the summer and Cahill feels they can advance whoever starts in between the posts.

He said: "I have no doubts about Willy in this game. Personally I am confident with either him or Thibaut.

"You are not talking about a young player - Willy is very experienced and in a big game like that, there will be no problems.

"Obviously with Thibaut, he was phenomenal against Arsenal last week, but I and the team have confidence in both.

"Willy won’t be struggling with pre-match nerves or anything like that. It won't be an issue for him. He has been there and done that.

"He has played in the Champions league, played for a massive team like Manchester City, and now for a massive team in Chelsea."