Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg between Arsenal and Chelsea promises fireworks at the Emirates Stadium, as the Blues hunt down a slender deficit in one of English football’s fiercest London derbies. With Arsenal holding a 3–2 advantage from the first leg, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides as they battle for a place in the final.
Chelsea head into this cracker with momentum under new boss Liam Rosenior, having rediscovered their best form with a string of impressive results in recent matches. Yet injuries continue to hamper the visitors, with defensive absentees like Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dário Essugo, and Romeo Lavia all ruled out, and Jamie Gittens another worry after limping off in the weekend win. Rosenior also has decisions to make over Estevão Willian and Filip Jorgensen, both doubts after recent setbacks.
Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernández, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; João Pedro.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.
With silverware on the line and both sets of fans baying for glory, this London showdown is set to be a classic, drama, intensity and an all-or-nothing atmosphere guaranteed. Can Chelsea snatch a win, or will Arsenal’s edge be enough to book a Wembley date?