Arsenal hold a narrow but valuable advantage heading into the second leg after their 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge, and with home support behind them, Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident of finishing the job. The Gunners are bidding to reach their first Carabao Cup final since the 2017/18 season, and this represents a significant opportunity for Arteta, who has not overseen a cup final appearance since lifting the FA Cup in 2020, Softfootball reports.
Momentum is firmly on Arsenal’s side, with the Premier League leaders suffering just one defeat in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Their commanding 4-0 victory over Leeds at the weekend further showcased their attacking strength and overall confidence heading into this semi-final showdown.
That said, the Emirates Stadium has not been a fortress in domestic cup competition recently. Arsenal have failed to win their last two home games, and memories of last season’s semi-final exit at this stage—when they were knocked out by Newcastle—will still linger. Avoiding complacency will be crucial, especially against familiar opposition they know well.
However, with their recent scoring consistency and dominance in this fixture, Arsenal remain well placed to take the final step.
Chelsea arrive in north London boosted by another spirited performance under Liam Rosenior, who continues to make a positive impression since taking charge at Stamford Bridge. Their weekend win over West Ham showcased both resilience and attacking intent, although needing to recover from a two-goal deficit and being booed off at half-time exposed some defensive fragility.
Still, defeat in the first leg of this tie remains the only blot on Rosenior’s record so far (W6), and the Blues will believe there is still room to turn the tie around.
Chelsea’s confidence away from home could be key. They have scored three or more goals in each of their last three away wins under Rosenior and have already won three away ties en route to this semi-final. While the club last lifted the Carabao Cup in 2014/15 and have since lost three finals in the competition, their recent attacking output suggests they are capable of troubling Arsenal’s defence.
Turning strong spells into sustained control—and tightening up defensively—will be vital if they are to overturn the aggregate deficit.
Team News
Arsenal have concerns over Bukayo Saka, who picked up an injury during Saturday’s emphatic win over Leeds and will be assessed ahead of kick-off. His availability could be pivotal given his influence in big games.
Ahead of the crucial second leg against Arsenal, Chelsea shared via its official X handle, the team’s intense training session with fans as they seek to overcome a 3-2 deficit they suffered at the bridge. They posted:
Chelsea will monitor Jamie Gittens, who was forced off during their comeback win against West Ham. No other fresh injury issues have been reported for the Blues.
Possible Lineups
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Arrizabalaga; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli; Gyokeres
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Pedro; Delap
SoftFootball Prediction
Arsenal’s first-leg advantage, combined with their recent form and strong head-to-head record at the Emirates, makes them favourites to progress. Chelsea’s attacking confidence under Rosenior suggests they can make this a competitive contest, but their defensive issues away from home could prove costly once again.
With Arsenal’s ability to score late and manage tight games, they look well positioned to edge this encounter and book a long-awaited return to the Carabao Cup final.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (Arsenal win 5-3 on aggregate)
