Arsenal and Chelsea Set for Carabao Cup Semi-Final Showdown
A fiery London derby awaits at the Emirates — in-form Arsenal take on an inconsistent Chelsea side in the first leg of a EFL Cup semi-final that could go either way.
Premier League
Arsenal and Chelsea are set to face off in the second semi-final of the EFL Cup. The London derby at the Emirates Stadium kicks off at 22:00 and promises plenty of excitement for the fans. The second leg at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for February 3rd, with the winner advancing to face either Newcastle or Manchester City in the final.
Chelsea enters the match with inconsistent form, having recorded two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six outings. The Blues recently thrashed Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup but fell to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham in the league. Prior to that, they managed a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, another draw (2-2) against Bournemouth, and a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
In contrast, Arsenal has been in impressive form, securing four wins and one draw in their last five matches. The Gunners started the year with a convincing 4-1 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup, followed by a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League. Before that, the team enjoyed a run of three consecutive wins: 3-2 against Bournemouth, 4-1 against Aston Villa, and 2-1 against Brighton.
Arsenal will be looking to young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is emerging as a key player for the Gunners in this fixture. The team has a full-strength squad available, featuring stars such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice.
For Chelsea, new manager Liam Rosenior is expected to place his trust in Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos. The Blues have a wealth of options, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and Moisés Caicedo all anticipated to be central to the team’s tactical setup.
The last time these two rivals met was on November 30, 2025, in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge that ended in a 1-1 draw. Before that, on March 16, 2025, Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates in another league encounter.
A look at the last five head-to-head meetings reveals two 1-1 draws, one win for Chelsea, and two victories for Arsenal, which includes a memorable 5-0 thrashing at the Emirates on April 23, 2024.
Challenge Zone
0 games available
From Category
From Midfielder to Key Full-Back: Matheus Nunes' Reinvention Could Shape Portugal's World Cup
Guardiola turned a misfit midfielder into one of Europe's best full-backs — and Portugal are reaping the rewards.
Vinicius: "Ancelotti Tells Me Every Time We're Going to Win the World Cup"
Ancelotti is learning Portuguese and promising Vinicius the World Cup — Brazil might just believe it this time.
Morocco Lose Their Captain as Saiss Announces International Retirement Before World Cup
Morocco's captain has called time on his international career — and the timing couldn't be more bittersweet.
Salah Eyes Two Historic Records Against Galatasaray
Another night, another chance at history — Salah could make his mark in the Champions League record books when Liverpool travel to Istanbul.
Umtiti: Endrick Needs to Understand He Can't Do It Alone
A World Cup winner's blunt message to Brazil's brightest young talent — Umtiti calls out Endrick's selfishness as Lyon's struggles continue.
Spain's World Cup Hopes Take a Hit as Merino Faces Race Against Time
Arteta's vague timeline is the last thing Spain needed — Merino's World Cup dream is hanging by a thread.