football.london’s Arsenal writers discuss who they would start for the Gunners against Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final
18:00, 13 Jan 2026
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz have created a selection headache for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
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Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz have created a selection headache for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Chelsea, looking to secure an important first leg result in the semi-final of the League Cup. Liam Rosenior’s first big test since taking over as Blues boss arrives with Mikel Arteta hoping to continue the Gunners’ fine record in west London.
This is a competition Arsenal have not won since 1993 and have only ever lifted twice. While it could prove to be a springboard in their hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
Arteta has some injury concerns going into the game which could force some interesting team selections. He needs to get the line-up right for this first leg as football.london’s writers give their views on who should start:
Tom Canton
Some big decisions lie ahead, and if Kai Havertz is fit enough to start, I would love to see the German head into the team from the off, with Viktor Gyokeres being a late-game impact player to stretch a more tired Chelsea back line.
Jurrien Timber for me comes in at left-back. I am struggling to trust the output and form of Myles Lewis-Skelly at the moment and against Cole Palmer or Pedro Neto, it is a position he might suffer in, so Ben White comes in at right-back.
I have picked the fully-rested Leandro Trossard despite Gabriel Martinelli’s goalscoring delights on the south coast. I think I’d pick the Brazilian at Nottingham Forest at the weekend to stretch the East Midlands club.
The rest of the team effectively picks itself and it is glorious to have both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes fit to face a Chelsea side so fortunate not to have to come up against them late last year.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Chelsea – Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Ryan Taylor
I think we'll see Arsenal go strong for this match - even if the Premier League is their priority.
Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack on Sunday at Portsmouth, and he'll also be mindful that Arsenal lost last season's Carabao Cup semi-final in the first leg when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle.
That deficit was too hard to recover at St James' Park, and it's crucial Arsenal take a decent result back to the Emirates Stadium for the return fixture.
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal for the second successive match. The back four consists of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber (left-back). In midfield, Martin Zubimendi starts with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Then, Gabriel Martinelli keeps his place on the left after his Pompey hat-trick, while there, Viktor Gyokeres should return as the No.9. On the right, Bukayo Saka should come back in for Noni Madueke after being rested at Fratton Park.
I think it's important Martinelli is handed the chance to build some momentum.
Taylor's Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres
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