Juggling act: Mikel Arteta
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Mikel Arteta has several fitness concerns to contend with for Arsenal's trip to take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners are away at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the semi-final tie, looking to continue their charge in all four competitions.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are both doubts for the match, having missed the FA Cup win over Portsmouth last time out.
The absence of Saliba in particular would be a significant blow for Arteta, who is already short of options in defence.
Riccardo Calafiori is "weeks" away from returning with a muscle injury, with Cristhian Mosquera similarly not close to being available again after an ankle issue.
Doubt: William Saliba
The Arsenal boss also gave no clarity on Piero Hincapie's potential return date, after the defender limped off against Liverpool a week ago with a hamstring issue.
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The 24-year-old is definitely out of the Chelsea match and, if Saliba is ruled out as well, that leaves Arteta potentially having to start Christian Norgaard again alongside Gabriel in defence.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has struggled for form recently, so Jurrien Timber could shift over to left-back with Ben White starting on the right.
Arteta has a decision to make in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has started in goal in all of Arsenal's domestic cup matches so far this season, and it remains to be seen whether the Arsenal manager sticks with him or brings David Raya into the side.
The favoured midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard could all return, while Gabriel Martinelli will hope to keep his place after a hat-trick against Portsmouth.
Up front, Kai Havertz is unlikely to be ready to start. Gabriel Jesus has looked sharper than Viktor Gyokeres, but there is every chance Arteta opts to keep trying to play his summer signing into form.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Injured: Calafiori, Hincapie, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Saliba, Trossard
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date and time: 8pm GMT on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
How to watch: Sky Sports