Arsenal star Mikel Merino has opened up about facing Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-finals. He said that it will be a tough game, but added that they are focused on the next stage.
The Gunners beat Crystal Palace at the Emirates in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, December 23, after a penalty shootout. They will face Chelsea, who beat Cardiff City 3-1, in the two-legged semi-final. In the other semi-final, Manchester City will take on Newcastle United.
After their win over Crystal Palace on Tuesday, Arsenal star Mikel Merino told ITV:
"That will be a big game, a massive game against a hard opponent. It didn’t matter who we played, everyone [left in the competition] is a really good team. We’ll focus now on the next game and then we’ll see Chelsea in the semi-finals."
About the Gunners' performance against Palace, Merino said:
"Unbelievable. It was more complicated than it should be to be honest. An amazing first half, we created so many chances. The team deserved to win comfortably today but this is football."
"This is why football is so great and everyone loves it. So to penalties, but a win is a win and we are in the semi-finals. This is the highest level and if you don’t take your chances, they will take one. So we have to learn from mistakes. We all want to score," he added.
Arsenal had 69% possession and 7/17 attempts on target, as compared to Palace's 2/6 attempts on target.
Arsenal penalty-shootout hero Kepa opens up about facing Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-finals
The Gunners took the lead in the 80th minute via an own goal from Maxence Lacroix. Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi scored in stoppage time to take the game to penalties. After both teams scored a combined 15 penalties, Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Lacroix's strike to win the game for Arsenal.
When asked about facing his former club, Chelsea, in the semi-finals, the goalkeeper said:
"Right now, if you want a trophy, that’s something that we want. We have to fight against good teams. I think both semi-finals, are big games, it’s going to be tough, but we’ll prepare well the game. We’ll be ready and we’ll go for it."
Arsenal signed Kepa from Chelsea in the summer for a reported fee of £5 million. He has made just three appearances for them, with all of them coming in the EFL Cup.