Chelsea and Arsenal settled for a goalless stalemate in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Two Super Eagles players in the shape of Chelsea's Victor Moses and Arsenal's Alex Iwobi were in the starting XI for their respective clubs while Chuba Akpom was not included in the 18 for the visitors.

Both players had chances to open the scoring for their sides in the first period, Moses forcing David Ospina into a smart save at the near points 28 minutes in before Thibaut Courtois was required to stop Iwobi's curling shot from creeping in as the break approached.

Victor Moses who had enjoyed a decent foray into the visitors final third had another thumping drive blocked off by Shkodran Mustafi six minutes after the hour mark before Willian went close for Chelsea again with a decent effort which Ospina gathered.

Cesc Fabregas struck the post with a deft chip in the last three minutes as Chelsea desperately chased the elusive breakthrough but that was as good as it got.

Both sides would renew rivalry in the return fixture at Emirates Stadium to determine who advances to the next round.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com