All eyes are on Stamford Bridge tonight as Chelsea and Arsenal lock horns in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, kicking off at 8 p.m. UK time. The stakes? A coveted spot at Wembley and a shot at the first major silverware of 2026. With both clubs navigating their own unique challenges and transitions, this London derby promises tension, tactical intrigue, and the kind of drama only cup football can deliver.
Arsenal arrive in west London riding high. Mikel Arteta’s men recently dispatched Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup, keeping alive their audacious dream of a quadruple—yes, you read that right, four trophies in a single season. The Gunners have already conquered Port Vale, Brighton, and Crystal Palace to reach this stage, marking their second consecutive Carabao Cup semi-final appearance. The memory of their 2018 semi-final triumph over Chelsea, courtesy of Granit Xhaka’s decisive strike, still lingers sweetly for Arsenal supporters.
The Gunners’ boss, Mikel Arteta, isn’t downplaying the importance of this competition, despite the club’s lofty ambitions elsewhere. “Well, the more you are involved in these kind of games, the better, because it gives you a nudge, it brings the team a different kind of energy,” Arteta explained in his pre-match press conference. “It gives you the sense that the objective is very, very close and that’s a massive motivation for everybody. So we know that we are two games away from playing a final. We have to go game-by-game and the first one is Stamford Bridge.”
Arsenal’s form on the road at Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of remarkable. They’re unbeaten in their last seven visits, last tasting defeat back in August 2018 when Marcos Alonso struck late for the Blues. Since then, the Gunners have registered three wins and four draws, including a gritty 1-1 stalemate in November 2025, when Mikel Merino’s header cancelled out Trevoh Chalobah’s opener—a match notable for Moises Caicedo’s first-half red card.
But it’s not all smooth sailing for the visitors. Defensive depth is a concern, with Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, and Cristhian Mosquera all ruled out through injury. William Saliba and Leandro Trossard traveled with the squad but face late fitness tests, keeping fans and Arteta alike on tenterhooks. Kai Havertz, who made a cameo against Portsmouth, is unlikely to start against his former club, while striker Viktor Gyokeres is under scrutiny for his recent barren spell—he hasn’t netted from open play in his last ten appearances, with only a penalty against Everton to his name.
On the other side of the divide, Chelsea are in the midst of a transition. The Blues parted ways with Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day after 18 months at the helm, ushering in a new era under Liam Rosenior. The 41-year-old, fresh from a stint at RC Strasbourg and a near-miss with Hull City in the Championship, signed a six-year deal and wasted no time making an impression. His debut saw Chelsea hammer Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup, setting the tone for what he hopes will be a successful tenure.
Tonight marks Rosenior’s Stamford Bridge bow, and he’s eager—but not overwhelmed—by the occasion. “We need to have a really, really good game on Wednesday. But I’m confident in the group that they’ve shown, and not just in the time before me, but in the last few days, they’re really hungry,” Rosenior said. “They really believe in themselves and it’s going to be a really, really good occasion on Wednesday night.”
Rosenior has been quick to praise Arsenal’s all-around strengths. When asked about the Gunners’ reputation for set-piece prowess, he chuckled, “I don’t know who’s calling them ‘Set Piece FC’—I’m definitely not! Arsenal are good at everything. They’re a good team. It’s not about taking the game back in time. You manage your per cent to be as good a team to win as many different ways as possible. They have a really, really clear idea in the way they want to play with the ball. And on top of that, they’re very, very well organised with good delivery on set plays. That’s what you want to be if you want to be successful.”
Chelsea’s path to the semi-final included victories over Lincoln City, Cardiff City, and Premier League rivals Wolves. However, the Blues face their own squad headaches. Moises Caicedo is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards, while key players Malo Gusto, Reece James, and Cole Palmer all face late fitness checks. “I’ll make a decision on Cole, Reece and Malo,” Rosenior told reporters. “I’m giving them some extra time. I’ve got time to make a decision. I haven’t made a decision on the team. We’ll make that decision tomorrow or on the morning of Wednesday.”
Tactically, Rosenior’s arrival brings an element of unpredictability. Former Arsenal man Adrian Clarke suggests we could see Chelsea stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation that worked so well against Charlton, but Rosenior is known for his flexibility, often toggling between a back three and back four. Expect the Blues to attack with width, leveraging wingers like Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, Estevao, and Jamie Gittens to stretch Arsenal’s defense. Set pieces, too, will be a threat—especially if Reece James is fit, given his reputation for dangerous inswinging corners and free kicks.
But Chelsea’s Achilles’ heel has been at the back. Their defensive partnerships have lacked consistency, and they’ve gone seven games in all competitions without a clean sheet. According to Clarke, “Chelsea’s main weaknesses are at the back. They do not have a settled rearguard, so partnerships and a lack of chemistry could be an issue when put under pressure. That is why we must show adventure inside the opposition half and flood their box with numbers every time get onto the front foot.”
Historically, this is the third time Arsenal and Chelsea have met in the League Cup semi-finals. The Blues advanced in 1997-98, while Arsenal prevailed in 2017-18. The fixture joins a select group to have been played three or more times at this stage, alongside match-ups like Arsenal v Spurs and Man City v Man Utd. Notably, Chelsea have reached the final in their last three semi-final appearances but have fallen at the last hurdle each time.
Adding to the intrigue, this is the first round of the Carabao Cup this season to feature VAR, with Simon Hooper set to referee the match and Jarred Gillett overseeing video decisions from Stockley Park. Arsenal fans will remember Hooper’s role in their 1-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this season—a good omen, perhaps?
With the tie played over two legs, both teams may approach tonight with a measure of caution, knowing the ultimate outcome won’t be decided until next month’s return fixture at the Emirates. Betting experts and pundits alike are expecting a tight, cagey contest, with recent history suggesting another draw could be on the cards. As SportsLine’s Jon Eimer put it, “Chelsea at home in recent matches against Arsenal have been keeping things incredibly tight and cagey… I’m going to be putting my money on another cagey first leg, with both teams escaping with yet another draw.”
Whatever happens under the floodlights tonight, one thing’s for sure—London’s footballing spotlight is fixed firmly on Stamford Bridge, and both Chelsea and Arsenal are desperate to seize their moment. The action is set, the teams are nearly ready, and the cup dream is alive for both sides. Let the battle begin!
