Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal were scared in first half against Chelsea'

Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal were "a bit scared" to confront Chelsea in the first half of their EFL Cup semi-final second leg.

The Gunners found themselves 1-0 down after just seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night due to an Eden Hazard strike.

However, the hosts drew level five minutes later thanks to an Antonio Rudiger own goal before Granit Xhaka struck the winner on the hour mark for a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in the final.

"In the first half we gave Chelsea too much respect and distance," Wenger told Sky Sports News. "We were a bit scared to go for it and we suffered from that.

"We were not playing in the right position but we amended that in the second half and took control of the game.

"We knew we could perform better in the second half and that's what we did. In the first half we watched them play a bit but we were tighter after the break.

"We have some time to prepare for the final but we are happy to take our fans to Wembley. We've been there a few times now and we're happy to be going again."

Arsenal will face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on February 25.