Defender Rob Holding is optimistic Arsenal can progress to the Carabao Cup final after the Gunners responded from their FA Cup exit with a resilient performance at Chelsea.

Nottingham Forest inflicted the first FA Cup third-round loss in Arsene Wenger’s 21 years as Arsenal boss last Sunday, ending the Gunners’ trophy defence.

And that result placed additional significance on Wednesday night’s League Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, when Arsenal dug in to draw 0-0 ahead of the January 24 return at the Emirates Stadium.

“I think it’s a good result for us to take back to the Emirates in the second leg, where we can hopefully nick a goal and get the win and into the final,” Holding told Arsenal Player.

“We had a point to prove here. We came under some scrutiny with our defensive display in the (Forest) game, so it was big for me to just get a clean sheet and have a solid game really.

“We knew we couldn’t (afford to) lose. A draw is a great result to take back in front of our home fans and hopefully we can get the win there.”

Wenger will hope midfielder Jack Wilshere is available for the second leg, having returned to form.

The England midfielder is a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth, where he spent last season on loan, after spraining an ankle blocking the ball.

What an honour to be given the armband tonight! Enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to the fans you were fantastic tonight as always! Hope my injury is not to bad and I’m back as soon as possible! #AFC

Posted by Jack Wilshere on Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Alexis Sanchez started on the substitutes’ bench, prompting further speculation over his future, with his contract expiring this summer and Manchester City apparently interested in recruiting him.

Sitting alongside the Chile forward was Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, the 20-year-old signed last week from PAS Giannina.

Wenger’s initial intention had been to loan out Mavropanos, but he has changed his mind.

“I personally want to keep him until May, to know him better, to assess his level,” the Frenchman said.

“The first signs he has shown in training are so encouraging that I decided to keep him until May.”