5 reasons why Arsenal have a good shot at one of the cups

#4 They’re already in the Carabao Cup semi-finals

Arsenal are already in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup

This one’s pretty simple, really – Arsenal have a massive chance of winning one of the cups because they’re already in the semi-finals of the secondary Carabao Cup, meaning that they’re only three games away from victory.

Granted, they haven’t got the easiest draw in the semi-finals – they face off against Chelsea over two legs – but it could’ve been worse, as Manchester City sit on the opposite side of the draw. It could’ve been better too, of course, as Championship side Bristol City are the other semi-finalists.

But is there any reason to suggest Arsenal couldn’t beat Chelsea over two legs? Definitely not. They drew 0-0 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season in the Premier League, and naturally, that was a full-strength Chelsea team.

It’s more likely that Antonio Conte will play a weakened side in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, given the two games come in the midst of a packed Premier League schedule – the first leg actually comes a week after a Premier League fixture between the two clubs – and right before the Champions League restarts. Which could definitely mean Arsenal come out on top.

And if they make the final, naturally, a showdown with Manchester City can be expected – for Bristol City to defeat Pep Guardiola’s men over two legs would be one of the biggest upsets in English football history – and of course, Arsenal would be the underdogs in that game.

But with City fully focused on the Premier League and Champions League, and Premier League records likely there to be broken, can they really afford to focus on a secondary cup? Probably not, which is why Arsenal would have a huge chance of beating them in a single game, especially if they treat it as their biggest game of 2017/18.