Chelsea vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg Preview – London Derby Set to Ignite Stamford Bridge

The Carabao Cup semi-finals get underway with one of the biggest fixtures in English football: Chelsea vs Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

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London Derby Set to Ignite Stamford Bridge

Chelsea vs. Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Prediction & Lineups | January 14, 2026

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM GMT, Premier League leaders Arsenal face Chelsea in the EFL Cup Semi-Final First Leg at Stamford Bridge, London.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM GMT on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

In the UK

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM GMT.

In the US

The game will be shown live on Paramount+.

Kick-off times for US viewers: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT (8:00 PM GMT).

The Carabao Cup semi-finals get underway with one of the biggest fixtures in English football: Chelsea vs Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. This London derby promises drama, goals, and high stakes as both teams battle for a place in the final. With Arsenal flying high in the Premier League and Chelsea looking to build momentum under interim boss Liam Rosenior, Wednesday night’s clash could go either way.

In-depth match preview with latest team news, injuries, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, key players to watch, and score prediction for this crucial title-race clash.

Match Details:

NAME: Chelsea vs Arsenal
DATE: Wednesday, Jan 14, 2026
TIME: 8:00 PM GMT (United Kingdom) | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT (United States) | 1:30 AM IST (Thursday, January 15) | 9:00 PM WAT (Nigeria) | 11:00 PM EAT (Kenya) | 10:00 PM SAST (South Africa)
VENUE: Stamford Bridge

When is Chelsea vs Arsenal?

Chelsea vs Arsenal is scheduled for an 8:00 PM UK kick-off on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

How to watch?

Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football with streaming via Sky Go (for subscribers) or NOW TV in the UK, on FanCode in India, on Paramount+ in the United States and Streaming on DAZN in Canada will all be airing live coverage of the event.

Live Match

Chelsea vs Arsenal Team News

With just hours until kick-off at Stamford Bridge, both camps have provided the latest updates on squad availability. Interim Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior faces some late decisions, while Mikel Arteta contends with mounting defensive issues for Arsenal. Here's the full breakdown.

Chelsea Team News

Liam Rosenior has largely a clean bill of health after the 5-1 FA Cup romp over Charlton, but a few key calls remain.

Fitness Doubts:

Late decisions on Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto. The trio were rested as a precaution after minor knocks from the recent Fulham match.
Rosenior confirmed no new issues emerged at the weekend and will assess them today (Tuesday). “I’ll make a decision on Cole, Reece and Malo tomorrow. They’re being managed. It was a good time for them to rest... There’s no point taking risks.”

Suspended:

Moises Caicedo – serving the third suspension of the season after a red card in December.

Injured:

Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia remain sidelined.

Returns:

Marc Cucurella is back after serving his one-match ban.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Fernandez, James; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Delap.Pedro Neto is favoured on the left, though Rosenior could opt for Alejandro Garnacho or Jamie Gittens after their starts in the FA Cup.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta faces a defensive crisis heading into this London derby, with several key players unavailable or doubtful.

Fitness Doubts:

William Saliba and Leandro Trossard – both missed the FA Cup win over Portsmouth and are being assessed.
Arteta described the issues as “nothing serious,” but late calls are expected. Saliba's potential absence would be massive for the backline.

Injured/Out:

Piero Hincapie (hamstring – definitely out)
Riccardo Calafiori (muscle – out for weeks)
Cristhian Mosquera (ankle – not close to return)
Max Dowman also sidelined.

Striker Situation:

Kai Havertz returned with a cameo in the FA Cup but is unlikely to start. Viktor Gyokeres has been in poor goalscoring form lately but is expected to lead the line, with Gabriel Jesus looking sharper in recent outings.

Other Notes:

Myles Lewis-Skelly has struggled at left-back amid the defensive injuries. The preferred midfield trio of Zubimendi, Rice, and Odegaard should return.

Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Kepa (or Raya); White, Saliba (if fit), Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.If Saliba is out, Christian Norgaard could partner Gabriel. Trossard could feature on the left if passed fit.