The Chelsea vs Arsenal match-up in the first leg of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup semi-final should be a highly entertaining encounter between these two rivals, as both teams look to produce an exhilarating display when they meet at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, January 14.
Chelsea vs Arsenal should be a thrilling match-up because of the amount of quality that both sets of squad possess and how determined they are to win the Carabao Cup. This will be the Blues’ first match at home under new head coach Liam Rosenior, and they’ll be determined to get a big win, while Arsenal look to take a step closer to winning the Carabao Cup with an efficient display at Stamford Bridge.
Match Details
Stamford Bridge
London, England
Wednesday, 14 January
20:00 GMT
Rejuvenated Chelsea Look To End In-Form Arsenal’s Unbeaten Streak at Stamford Bridge
The Chelsea vs Arsenal match should be a really eventful one because of how determined both sides are in taking up a major lead in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal, which means they should push for goals in some entertaining attacking football, and there should be plenty of feistiness involved in it as well.
Chelsea showed promising early signs in their first match under Liam Rosenior, resulting in a dominant 5-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round clash. However, the Blues will now face a real test in the form of the Premier League leaders, and that will challenge Rosenior’s system. Chelsea will need to be defensively sturdy to keep their rivals quiet, but need to be efficient and innovative with their attacking build-up play, as well as lethal in finishing off chances to get a big win at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal recovered from their drab recent draw against Liverpool by thrashing Portsmouth in the FA Cup in their previous game, and they are now on a nine-match unbeaten run. The Gunners will look to maintain their good form by keeping a really sturdy defensive shape to neutralise Chelsea’s threat, while they also need to be clinical in converting their opportunities perfectly to get a big advantage in the Carabao Cup semifinal.
Arsenal have dominated Chelsea in recent meetings, having won three of the last six meetings between the two and the Blues need to do something special to change that record.
Could Cole Palmer Rediscover His Swagger To Stun Arsenal?
Cole Palmer has had a tough 2025/26 season so far for Chelsea, with injuries holding him back and stopping him from playing to his best ability. The Englishman has scored just four goals in 12 appearances across all competitions this season, and he hasn’t even been able to play in the Carabao Cup yet because of his injuries.
Palmer, however, retains that special something in his game that could make him a difference-maker for Chelsea. He will look to torment the Arsenal players with his smart off-the-ball movement to get into the prime areas in the final third, but Palmer has to be particularly pinpoint with his final third passes and ruthless with his finishing to be able to inspire Chelsea to a big win and rediscover his momentum.
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Relentless Declan Rice Determined To Help Arsenal Conquer Stamford Bridge Threat
Declan Rice is arguably enjoying the best season of his career for Arsenal, as he has been an absolute machine in their midfield line in the ongoing 2025/26 season.
The English midfielder not only brings defensive steel with his ball-winning capabilities, but he is also performing at a high level in the other side of the pitch with regular goal contributions.
Rice has four goals and seven assists so far in the 2025/26 campaign, but is yet to get a goal contribution in the Carabao Cup. He aims to do that by outworking the Chelsea midfielders with his hard-working nature and ability to win key duels in the midfield, while Rice also looks to get into more goal-scoring areas and finish off chances really smartly to help his side gain the advantage in the Carabao Cup semifinal.
Chelsea vs Arsenal Injuries
Chelsea injuries: Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella (suspended), Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo
Arsenal injuries: Max Dowman, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori (doubt)
Chelsea vs Arsenal Predicted Lineups
Knowing the importance of this clash, both Mikel Arteta and Liam Rosenior will look to field their strongest lineups. Here we look at our Chelsea vs Arsenal predicted lineups:
Chelsea predicted XI: Robert Sanchez (GK), Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap
Arsenal predicted XI: David Raya (GK), Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / News Images
Recording Date: 07.01.2026
