A ticket to Wembley is on the line on Tuesday night as Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium for the decisive second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Gunners arrive with a slender 3–2 aggregate advantage after a high-octane first leg at Stamford Bridge. In that clash, goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyökeres, and Martin Zubimendi cancelled out a brace from Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho. The current Premier League leaders, led by Mikel Arteta, want to make it to their first League Cup final since 2018. History is on their side because, in 32 prior attempts, only two teams have won the away leg of an EFL Cup semi-final without making it to the final.
However, a resurgent Chelsea under Liam Rosenior travel across London in formidable form, fresh from a five-game winning streak that included a stunning weekend comeback against West Ham. Since Rosenior’s appointment, the Blues have won six of their first seven matches, and they have won all three of their away EFL Cup fixtures this season.
Arsenal vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news
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Date: Tuesday, 3 February 2026
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Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
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Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
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Referee: Peter Bankes
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VAR: James Bell
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Last Meeting: Chelsea 2–3 Arsenal (14 Jan 2026), League Cup
Team News
Arsenal
Due to a hip injury during the warm-up against leeds, Mikel Arteta will have to a make a last mintue decision on talisman Bukayao Saka. Noni Madueke is prepared to start following his outstanding performance over the weekend even though the problem isn’t severe. Mikel Merino, a midfielder, will have surgery to treat a rare foot fracture, making him a major absentee. While Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber are both fit to feature.
Chelsea
The Blues are dealing with significant absences in the wide areas. Estêvão Willian is currently on compassionate leave in Brazil and remains a major doubt. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is also sidelined with a foot injury picked up against West Ham. In goal, Filip Jørgensen is nearing a return, but Robert Sánchez is expected to continue. Long-term injury victims Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dário Essugo, and Roméo Lavia remain unavailable.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal Predicted XI: Arrizabalaga; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Chelsea Predicted XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
