Arsenal Eyes Wembley Amid Carabao Cup Semi-Final Showdown

LONDON (Azat TV) – Arsenal is set to host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, February 3, for the crucial second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, holding a narrow 3-2 aggregate advantage from the first encounter. The high-stakes London derby will determine which side advances to Wembley, with Arsenal aiming for their first domestic cup final since 2020 and Chelsea seeking to continue their impressive five-game winning streak under new manager Liam Rosenior.

The Gunners secured their slender lead in the first leg last month, capitalizing on Chelsea’s absences to build 2-0 and 3-1 leads. However, a brace from Alejandro Garnacho ensured Liam Rosenior’s side remained firmly in contention, leaving the tie delicately poised for the return fixture. The match, scheduled for an 8 p.m. GMT kick-off, promises an intense battle as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the final.

The Aggregate Advantage and Recent Form

Arsenal enters the second leg as the current Premier League leaders, having recently quelled fears of a potential title collapse with a dominant 4-0 victory over Leeds United. Their overall form across all competitions stands at DWLWW (Draw, Win, Loss, Win, Win) in their last five outings. Despite their strong league position and progression in the Champions League and FA Cup, manager Mikel Arteta’s squad is acutely aware that their 3-2 aggregate lead against Chelsea is far from insurmountable, especially given the Blues’ recent resurgence.

Chelsea, under the guidance of Liam Rosenior, arrives at the Emirates Stadium brimming with confidence, boasting an impeccable five-game winning streak across all competitions (WWWWW). Their latest triumph was a hard-fought 3-2 comeback victory against West Ham United on Saturday evening. While not in Premier League title contention, Chelsea is fiercely competing for a top-four or top-five finish, demonstrating their capability to perform on multiple fronts this season. This impressive run of form suggests a significant challenge for Arsenal, as Chelsea appears to be hitting their stride at a critical juncture of the campaign.

Key Absences and Expected Lineups for the Carabao Cup Showdown

Arsenal’s squad depth will be tested as they contend with several key injuries. Midfielder-cum-striker Mikel Merino is sidelined, facing several months out after undergoing foot surgery. Furthermore, star winger Bukayo Saka picked up a ‘little niggle’ in the warm-up before the Leeds United match, leading to his withdrawal from the lineup. While his injury is not as severe as initially feared, the quick turnaround for the Carabao Cup semi-final makes his participation uncertain. Max Dowman also remains unavailable due to injury. Despite these setbacks, Arsenal’s predicted lineup, as reported by football.london, is expected to see Kepa Arrizabalaga continue in goal for this competition, with potential starts for Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and the return of Martin Ødegaard to the starting XI.

For Chelsea, manager Liam Rosenior has managed his squad carefully amidst a demanding fixture schedule. Jamie Gittens is a fresh injury concern after being forced off during the West Ham win and is unlikely to feature. He joins Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, Dário Essugo, and Roméo Lavia on the sidelines. Estêvão is also a doubt, having missed the weekend game for personal reasons. However, Chelsea is expected to welcome back key players such as João Pedro, Reece James, and Marc Cucurella, who were rested against West Ham United, indicating a strengthened starting lineup for the crucial second leg.

Managerial Perspectives and Tactical Outlook

Mikel Arteta, speaking ahead of the fixture, acknowledged the challenge, stating, ‘Tomorrow we have a really tough game against a very good Chelsea side. We have the home advantage, we have a good [first leg] result, but we have still a lot of work to do.’ He emphasized the importance of the home crowd, adding, ‘We really need to create the atmosphere, the energy, the belief that we’re going to do it. And all together, I’m sure we’re very capable of doing that,’ as reported by DAZN News.

Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion. ‘They can play in big games; they can perform in big games, and it is definitely a big game on Tuesday,’ Rosenior told Daily Mail. He highlighted his team’s strategy, noting, ‘We need to take it as far as we can and as deep as we can and then the second half hopefully will be massive in terms of turning the tie around.’ This suggests a tactical approach from Chelsea focused on sustained pressure and exploiting the later stages of the match.

Historical Dominance and Betting Insights

Arsenal has asserted impressive superiority over their London rivals in recent times, holding an unbeaten record against Chelsea in all competitions since 2021. In the nine games since then, the Gunners have secured six wins and three draws, a statistic that will undoubtedly provide a psychological boost heading into this decisive encounter. Two or more goals have been scored in seven of those matches, indicating a history of open and attacking play between the two sides.

Bookmakers also favor Arsenal to progress. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Arsenal as -155 moneyline favorites for Tuesday’s game, with a draw at +285 and a Chelsea upset at +370. The betting market reflects the general sentiment that Arsenal, with their aggregate lead and home advantage, is well-positioned to reach the final. Predictions from various sports outlets suggest a tight contest, with Sports Illustrated predicting an Arsenal 2-1 victory, while DAZN News forecasts a 1-1 draw, which would still see Arsenal advance 4-3 on aggregate. The consensus points towards an Arsenal win, potentially with goals from both sides, given Chelsea’s need to attack.

The Carabao Cup semi-final represents a significant test of nerve and tactical acumen for both London clubs. While Arsenal holds the aggregate advantage and a strong recent record against Chelsea, the Blues’ current winning streak and the expected return of key players suggest they possess the momentum and capability to mount a serious challenge for a Wembley berth.