The two sides played out a dull goalless draw in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The main talking point was when Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere suffered a further set-back as he withdrew through injury.

And Chelsea fans were hoping that Hazard has not suffered a similar problem as he was taken off seven minutes from time with the game on a knife edge.

But Conte has moved to allay those fears and confirmed that the switch, which saw Tiemoue Bakayoko enter the frame, was purely tactical.

“No, it was a technical decision,” Conte said.

He then went on to defend his attackers who have often come under pressure for not taking their chances this season.

“You must be worried if you don’t create and it is difficult not to score,” Conte added.

“Every game we create chances, this season we might be a bit unlucky, but haven’t taken the chances. 

“The speech is not for the strikers, Christensen had two fantastic chances to score. 

“It is not just the strikers, you have to take chances. 

“The semi-final it is important to take your chances.”