The EFL Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal is here!

Arsenal may have just successfully started their FA Cup journey a few days ago, but they have another cup game today. This time, however, in the EFL Cup, in which the semi-finals are on the agenda. The first semi-final match, which will see the Mikel Arteta's is coming to Stamford Bridge. The return leg will be played at Emirates Stadium in three weeks' time, but that is still relatively far in the future. I will now turn my attention to the first game, which is really just around the corner. As this is a double header, there is no danger of a definitive exit just outside the final gates just yet. On the other hand, the final result of the first match can give a lot of hints about who will go to the final at Wembley after the rematch in north London and who will end up in the competition.

Form

Arsenal got back on the winning streak after breaking their winning streak in the FA Cup match against Liverpool. Similarly, Chelsea have already notched up a comfortable cup win with a new manager on the bench. However, the current form of both teams is different, so let's look at everything together in a little more detail.

Arsenal

I've been commenting on Arsenal's form a lot in recent weeks, so I'll keep this very brief today. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the last two Gunners games and I'm not likely to see the ones against Chelsea and Nottingham either, so I can't make a more detailed assessment of the last game played as I would like. However, I have to work with what I have.

The North Londoners were last seen in the FA Cup at second division side Portsmouth. Although Arsenal scored very early in the game, they turned the match around without any major problems and won with a 4:1 victory. Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli scored his first career hat trick.

In terms of form, Arsenal responded in the best possible way to the league draw with Liverpool. The balance of the last five games remains very good, four wins and one draw. In the longer term, Mikel Arteta's charges have extended their unbeaten streak to nine games. Only one of these matches ended in a draw, one in a penalty kick win and all the remaining seven in victories. Overall, I can't rate the Gunners' form as anything but positive.

Chelsea

Chelsea, who a few days ago took the drastic step of changing the manager, hasn't exactly shined in recent games.. Although it was probably not the main reason for the change, it could certainly have been one of the reasons. Anyway, I'll get to the manager change today, now it's time to analyze the team's form. Chelsea's last five games have not looked good at all. One single victory, which coincidentally was won by new manager Liam Rosenior in the FA Cup, two draws and two defeats. For a team that Chelsea have at their disposal, these are the results really inadequate.

When Chelsea hosted Arsenal in the Premier League at the end of November, they were realistically in contention for the title. Now, after a run of poor results, the Stamford Bridge side are an abysmal eighteen points behind the top spot and it's probably safe to say that Instead of fighting for the title this year, Chelsea will be fighting for the TOP 4. At the moment, the West London players are up to 8th place in the league table with the point spreads between the surrounding teams being minimal. Chelsea are in 13th place in the Champions League, which will resume in a few days with the next matches of the regular season, so they will have to fight for promotion. I will also add the Blues' campaign in the English cups. So, in the FA Cup, Chelsea continue to the next round, the EFL Cup I probably don't even need to mention.

Overall, Chelsea's form from in the long term to be assessed as average or slightly above average, but the one current, on the contrary, as very below average.

Team and expected line-up

Another cup game equals another rotation in the lineup? Yes and no. This time, the Gunners will be facing Semi-finals, and so I think the Spanish manager at Arsenal will send on Chelsea a combined lineup that's not far from the strongest on paper. However, injuries or a demanding schedule will also undoubtedly affect the composition of the starting eleven. What could Arsenal's starting eleven look like on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge?

Expected line-up

I don't expect many changes in the defensive part of the lineup. Honestly Mikel Arteta doesn't have much to go on at the moment. However, I would guess we will see one change after all. I think he'll take over at right-back Christian Nørgaard Dutch defensive all-rounder Jurriën Timber. In midfield and attack, the Spanish manager should already be in charge. The midfield trio of Zubimendi, Rice and Ødegaard will return. On the right wing, the rested Bukayo Saka is expected to start again, while on the other side of the pitch Gabriel Martinelli should keep his place in the line-up after scoring a hat-trick. At the top of the attack, where for the first time since the start of the season there is really good competition, I expect Viktor Gyökers to start from the first minute. As far as substitutes are concerned, I am of the opinion that Mikel Arteta at Stamford Bridge will be substituted early and in abundance.

Absences

Mikel Arteta confirmed at his press conference that he will definitely not start the game against Chelsea Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié, Riccardo Calafiori nor Max Dowman. Question marks are also reportedly hanging over the health of William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, that I don't expect the Spanish manager to include in the nomination. After all, Arsenal's schedule is very packed, so it doesn't make much sense to risk the health of players who are not 100% fit.

About the opponent

Chelsea's one of the biggest clubs in England, so I won't bother introducing the club as such. I've already discussed not only current form, but also longer term form, so it would make the most sense to move on to the players. Since Arsenal have already played Chelsea once in the current season (i.e. I've already written a blog where I dissected the Chelsea team), I'll exceptionally skip that section this time. If you would still like a brief overview regarding the Blues players you were interested in, check out the aforementioned blog from the league match between Chelsea and Arsenal from the end of November last year.

However, I cannot let one „news“ from the camp of the London rival go unnoticed. A surprising, at least for me personally, change in the position of manager. The Blues management has decided to terminate the contract with Enzo Maresca out of the blue, who I thought did a solid job at Chelsea. The reason for the Italian manager's departure was often cited in the media as a disagreement between the management and Maresca, but who knows what was really behind his departure. In his place Chelsea bring in Liam Rosenior, who last managed French side Strasbourg. The English coach made his winning debut on the Chelsea bench. The Blues, under his leadership, sovereignly overcame Charlton in the FA Cup. Let's see how Rosenior will fare in the next matches.

Match

When I take into account all the factors, such as the home environment, the form or the programme, I I expect a very even match in all respects. Arsenal is a slight favourite, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Despite the fact that Mikel Arteta has a better quality and wider squad, and in better form, Chelsea will have home advantage. There is no doubt that Chelsea also has quality, which they showed, among other things, in their first game together this season, when they embarrassed Arsenal shorthanded and eventually won a draw.

Since this is the first semifinal match, he wouldn't have to be so tactically tied down. On the other hand, neither team will want to take a significant goal handicap from the first round, so big goal throws are not very likely. As I have already written, I am inclined to think that the game will be evenly matched and will go from one side to the other. Even though I think a draw is a very likely outcome of this match, I have to stay true to my team with my pick as well. The game could be decided by the substitutes off the bench, where Mikel Arteta will definitely have plenty of options to choose from. I predict Arsenal to win 2:1.

Next match

Believe it or not, Arsenal will play their next competitive game on Saturday 17 January 2026 from 18:30 (CET), when, as part of the Premier League will be at the City Ground Stadium to take on the home Nottingham Forest.

See you next time, I'll look forward to it!

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