Team News

Arsenal Injury and Availability Update

Arsenal head into this EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea with a few fitness concerns following recent matches. Manager Mikel Arteta will weigh up fitness and rotation as the Gunners look to secure progression to the final.

Unavailable / Out

Mikel Merino – Sidelined with a foot injury and set to undergo surgery; expected to miss an extended period.

Max Dowman – Dealing with an ankle issue and remains unavailable.

Doubts / Fitness Tests

Bukayo Saka – Picked up a hip/other discomfort in warm-ups ahead of the Leeds match and is doubtful for this game. Arteta will assess him pre-kick-off.

Available / Key Players

David Raya – Expected to keep goal in this cup tie.

Ben White – Set to continue in defence after good recent form.

William Saliba – Available and key to Arsenal’s back line.

Martin Ødegaard – Central to Arsenal’s creative play.

Declan Rice – Likely to anchor midfield in a crucial cup clash.

Noni Madueke – Could start if Saka isn’t fully fit, having impressed recently.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea arrive at the Emirates Stadium with several injury concerns of their own but will aim to overturn Arsenal’s aggregate advantage.

Unavailable / Out

Levi Colwill – Long-term knee injury.

Dário Essugo – Muscle injury.

Romeo Lavia – Thigh injury.

Mykhailo Mudryk – Suspension.

Doubts / Fitness Tests

Jamie Gittens – Picked up a foot/hamstring issue and remains doubtful.

Available / Key Players

Robert Sánchez – Expected in goal with Chelsea looking to limit Arsenal’s chances.

Cole Palmer – Creative outlet for Chelsea’s attack.

Joao Pedro – In good recent form and likely to play a big role.

Enzo Fernández – Central midfield presence for the Blues.

Moisés Caicedo – Key to controlling midfield.

Lineups

Arsenal team news - No Saka or Odegaard for hosts

Team to face Chelsea: Kepa, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

: Raya, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly.

Saka Injury Update

Bukayo Saka picked up an injury during warm-ups in the previous match and remains a doubt for this EFL Cup clash. His availability will be assessed shortly before kick-off.

If Saka is ruled out, Mikel Arteta may turn to Leandro Trossard or Noni Madueke to fill the wide attacking role.

Arsenal Starting XI – Arsenal vs Chelsea (EFL Cup 2026)

Arsenal team news: Arteta is expected to field a strong lineup with minimal rotation.

Predicted Team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard.

Subs: Kepa, Tomiyasu, Timber, Partey, Smith Rowe, Madueke, Nketiah, Nelson, Vieira.

Chelsea Starting XI – Arsenal vs Chelsea (EFL Cup 2026)

Predicted Team: Sánchez, James, Disasi, Silva, Chilwell, Caicedo, Enzo, Palmer, Nkunku, Sterling, Jackson.

Subs: Petrovic, Colwill, Gusto, Gallagher, Mudryk, Madueke, Chukwuemeka, Broja, Ugochukwu.

Predicted Starting XIs – Arsenal vs Chelsea (EFL Cup 2026)

With both sides targeting progression in the competition, strong lineups are expected. Arsenal will look to control possession, while Chelsea may focus on counter-attacks.

Arsenal (4-3-3) – Predicted XI

Goalkeeper: David Raya
Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard (C), Declan Rice, Kai Havertz
Forwards: Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard

Chelsea (4-2-3-1) – Predicted XI

Goalkeeper: Robert Sánchez
Defenders: Reece James, Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders: Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández; Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling
Forward: Nicolas Jackson

ℹ️ Lineup Note

Final team sheets will be officially confirmed approximately one hour before kick-off. Late fitness tests, tactical decisions, or injuries may result in last-minute changes.

Arsenal vs Chelsea Training Gallery

February 3, 2026 • Emirates Stadium • EFL Cup

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Pre-Match Show

Watch the Arsenal vs Chelsea pre-match show shortly before kick-off, featuring live build-up, team news, expert analysis, and exclusive coverage from the Emirates Stadium.

Live Match

Arsenal vs Chelsea live match tracker provides real-time score, interactive graphs, possession stats, shot maps, and minute-by-minute EFL Cup updates.

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (agg 4-2) 90 +8 mins

GOAL! Kai Havertz has sealed it against his old club!

The hosts win the ball and catch Chelsea short at the back. Trossard clips a pass to Rice and he looks up to find Havertz and Martinelli, who are 2-v-1 with Robert Sanchez.

Havertz has the option to square it but he doesn’t need him, dribbling past Sanchez before tapping into an empty net to send Arsenal into the final!

Arsenal team news - No Saka or Odegaard for hosts

Team to face Chelsea: Kepa, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

: Raya, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly.

Match Summary: Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea | EFL Cup 2026

Arsenal secured a dramatic 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the EFL Cup 2026 semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to a last-gasp winner from Kai Havertz in stoppage time.

The match was tightly contested from the opening whistle, with both London rivals showing strong defensive organisation and limited space in midfield. Arsenal controlled possession, while Chelsea focused on counter-attacking opportunities.

Despite sustained pressure and several attacking moves from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, the Gunners struggled to break down Chelsea’s disciplined defensive structure during regular time. Chelsea, meanwhile, relied heavily on Cole Palmer for creativity but failed to create many clear-cut chances.

With the match heading towards extra time, Arsenal finally found the breakthrough in the 90+7th minute. A late attacking move saw Kai Havertz react quickest inside the penalty area, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to send the home crowd into celebration.

The late goal proved decisive, sealing Arsenal’s progression and eliminating Chelsea from the competition.

Key Moments

• Half-Time – The match remained goalless after a tight first half.
• Second Half – Arsenal increased pressure but struggled to find space.
• 90+7’ – Kai Havertz scored the winning goal for Arsenal.
• Full-Time – Arsenal won 1–0 and advanced to the final.

Player Performances

Arsenal Standouts

• Kai Havertz – Match-winner with a crucial stoppage-time goal.
• William Saliba – Outstanding defensive performance.
• Declan Rice – Dominated midfield and controlled tempo.

Chelsea Key Players

• Cole Palmer – Chelsea’s main attacking threat.
• Enzo Fernández – Worked hard in midfield.
• Moisés Caicedo – Provided defensive stability.

Tactical Analysis

Arsenal operated with a high-possession system, using wide players and overlapping full-backs to stretch Chelsea’s defence. Chelsea remained compact, sitting deep and attempting quick transitions.

The Blues’ defensive discipline frustrated Arsenal for most of the match, but sustained late pressure eventually paid off for the hosts.

What This Result Means

For Arsenal

• Advanced to the EFL Cup final
• Boosted confidence in domestic competitions
• Strengthened momentum for the rest of the season

For Chelsea

• Eliminated from the EFL Cup
• Missed chance for silverware
• Focus shifts to league campaign

Final Thoughts

Arsenal’s 1–0 win over Chelsea was decided by patience, pressure, and a moment of quality from Kai Havertz in stoppage time. While Chelsea defended bravely, the Gunners’ persistence ultimately earned them a place in the final.