Ranieiri hoping defence can silence Gunners

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is banking on his team keeping their impressive away defensive record to maintain their progression into the Champions League semi-finals.

The Blues have not conceded a goal away from home in five matches in the competition so far – and will need to do the same at Highbury on April 6 if they are to progress after tonight’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Eidur Gudjohnsen gave Chelsea a 53rd-minute lead, but Robert Pires levelled the scores in tonight’s quarter-final first leg match.

And Ranieri said: “Away we have not conceded a goal so far – so why not continue?”

He added: “I’m very pleased with our performance. We played with a confidence against Arsenal – everybody knows they are a great team.

“We played well, closed down space and tried to play our football and after we had scored maybe we deserved a little more.

“We had two great chances to score again and after 10 minutes they drew the match.

“It was a good reaction by Arsenal – but I think we deserve a little more.

“But I say ‘thank you’ to my players because they played very, very well.”

Ranieri revealed he has tried to shield his players from the continued speculation surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge.

He added: “I have tried to keep them out of everything – all the rumours.

“We are playing well, it’s a great season for us in my opinion.

“Only fantastic Arsenal are in front of us and we are playing in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“At Highbury we will try to score – I am positive.”