Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

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Kick off for the game is at 8pm.

Here are tonight’s teams…

📋 Here it is - our starting XI to face @ChelseaFC #AFCvCFC pic.twitter.com/44StWKv1Bk

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 24, 2018

Chelsea team: Caballero; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro.

Subs: Eduardo, Cahill, David Luiz, Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Barkley, Batshuayi. #ARSCHE pic.twitter.com/MpZXMyk8ed

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2018

We’re under way…

Chelsea have started on the front foot.

Moses has just dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

Pedro has the ball in the net after heading home a well-executed Azpilicueta cross.

The linesman correctly rules it out for offside though.

CHELSEA 1-0 ARSENAL (HAZARD 7)

Pedro plays the ball through to Hazard, who finishes calmly.

Chelsea have started this game very sharply, and so deserve their lead.

Arsenal now need to score twice.

Although away goals only count after extra-time, so they can stay in the game by drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Better from Arsenal.

Iwobi plays through Wilshere, but Caballero is alert to stop the Englishman getting a shot away.

ARSENAL 1-1 CHELSEA (MONREAL 12)

A set piece falls to Monreal, whose header deflects off Rudiger and goes in.

This looks set to be a cracking game.

Hazard has just been booked for cynically taking down Ozil.

Arsenal have responded superbly since conceding.

Pedro finds Willian, who fires the ball narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

This game remains very open.

As I type, Lacazette latches on to a long ball, but is ultimately crowded out by Chelsea’s defenders.

Chelsea are starting to control the game again.

They’ve had 71% possession in the last 10 minutes according to Sky.

Antonio Conte looks like he hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep in months.

— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) January 24, 2018

Willian has had to go off injured.

That means Ross Barkley makes his Chelsea debut off the bench.

Wilshere has now been booked for a late tackle on Barkley.

Arsenal have been second best in these last minutes.

A Xhaka free kick out wide deflects just over Caballero’s bar.

It’s very difficult to predict which way this game’s going to go, but if it continues to be this entertaining and free flowing for the remainder of the match, we’re in for a treat.

248 - Ross Barkley has made his first competitive club appearance in 248 days, since playing against Arsenal at the Emirates with Everton on May 21st 2017. Mirror.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2018

Arsenal are being pinned back into their half at the moment.

Chelsea have been the better side so far.

Wilshere plays it to Ozil, whose shot is deflected just wide.

That’s a bit more encouraging from an Arsenal perspective.

HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 1-1 CHELSEA

The second half has begun…

Hazard bursts forward on the counter-attack, but Xhaka stops him with a good tackle.

Arsenal have seen more of the ball in this second half, but are struggling to find a way past a well-organised Chelsea backline.

Hazard bursts through on goal again, but appears to trip himself as he does so.

The referee, correctly, waves play on.

Iwobi’s cross takes a deflection off Azpilicueta and goes just over.

Arsenal have been much improved since the break and are starting to control the play.

ARSENAL 2-1 CHELSEA (XHAKA 60)

Lacazette does well to hold the ball up down the right.

The striker’s cross eventually deflects into the path of Xhaka, who finishes coolly to put Arsenal ahead for the first time in the tie.

The visitors make a change in their search for an equaliser.

Pedro is replaced by Batshuayi, who has been heavily linked with a Chelsea exit of late.

Xhaka fires a shot well wide from the edge of the box.

Arsenal have showed no signs of sitting back since going ahead.

Lacazette wins a free quick after being nudged to the ground by Kante.

The French attacker’s hold-up play has been impressive in the second half.

Chelsea make another change.

Moses is replaced by Zappacosta.

Alonso’s shot goes well off target, prompting cheers from the home fans.

Chelsea have been surprisingly toothless in attack in this second half.

Moments later, Iwobi is one-on-one, as Caballero makes a vital save, after a lovely pass across goal from Ozil.

Arsenal are looking pretty dangerous every time they counter attack.

Chelsea need to be careful they’re not left too exposed as they push bodies forward.

Rudiger heads over from a corner — he didn’t really attack the ball with any great conviction there.

Seven minutes of normal time remain.

As I type, Lacazette and Iwobi are replaced by Kolašinac and Ramsey.

One minute of normal time remains.

Chelsea are still offering very little in Arsenal’s final third.

There will be four added minutes…

Monreal has been named man of the match.

His goal was vital and he has been part of an impressive Arsenal defensive effort.

Hazard’s cross goes straight into Ospina’s arms.

That, surely, is that.

FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 CHELSEA – THE GUNNERS ARE IN THE LEAGUE CUP FINAL 

Right, that’s all from me for now.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our report of the game here.