Arsenal vs Chelsea Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 English League Cup | Semi-Final
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The second-leg of this EFL Cup semi-final is delicately poised with Arsenal having a slender 3-2 aggregate lead as they now welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports & ITV / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & ITVX / US – Paramount+
Arsenal preview: Back to being confident
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad have faced question marks over just how confident and composed they are with regards to the run-in but the Gunners showed real quality at the weekend to hammer Leeds United by four goals to nil at Elland Road.
That has extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points, while they also finished at the top of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League with eight wins from eight ahead of completing their final four tie in this competition.
Chelsea preview: Never say die Chelsea
Following the appointment of Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have been entertaining to watch thus far and that continued at the weekend as the Blues came from 2-0 down to defeat West Ham United by three goals to two at Stamford Bridge the other day.
That has continued Chelsea’s push for a top four or five finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification, with the west Londoners having now managed six victories in seven matches across all competitions.
Arsenal team news: Saka a major doubt
Bukayo Saka injured himself in the warm-up against Leeds United and so he is now a major doubt for this one, while Mikel Merino has broken a bone in his foot and could miss the rest of the season.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Unavailable: Merino (Injured), Dowman (Injured)
Questionable: Saka (Injured)
Chelsea team news: Couple of doubts
Attacking duo Jamie Gittens and Estevao are now major doubts for Chelsea, with the latter off on compassionate leave, while the Blues have confirmed absentees, such as Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Palmer, Fernandez, Garnacho; Pedro
Unavailable: Adarabioyo (Injured), Colwill (Injured), Essugo (Injured), Lavia (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Estevao (Personal reasons), Gittens (Injured)
Arsenal vs Chelsea prediction
The first-leg of this tie was an entertaining one at Stamford Bridge as Arsenal defeated Chelsea by three goals to two. Mikel Arteta’s men have shown nerves and will want to simply control this clash. That may help Chelsea play with a bit more abandon, having already shown real resilience in the Premier League, as well as coming from behind in the UEFA Champions League, under Rosenior. Both teams scoring seems a very good bet for this one at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs Chelsea tip: Both teams to score
