Chelsea predicted starting XI to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.placeholder image
Chelsea predicted starting XI to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. | Getty Images
Chelsea host Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday
Chelsea are back in action on Wednesday evening and new boss Liam Rosenior will face his first major test of his Blues reign as his side host Arsenal in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The Blues beat Charlton Athletic 5-1 in Rosenior’s first match in charge last weekend, with the Championship outfit no match for their opponents even after the Blues rested multiple key stars. The semi-final will likely see Chelsea’s big hitters return to the XI as the Premier League leaders come to town with a major trophy final place on the line. Several changes are likely to take place for both sides from their cup exploits.
Will Cole Palmer be passed fit to start against Arsenal?
Cole Palmer was one of three players rested at Charlton after picking up a knock in the 2-1 defeat at Fulham in the league, alongside captain Reece James and versatile full-back Malo Gusto. Rosenior revealed on Saturday that the trio were left out on precaution and will be assessed ahead of their next match, a sentiment he echoed in his press conference on Monday.
“We had no injury problems coming out of Charlton game, which was a really good thing,” Rosenior told reporters. “I’ll make a decision on Cole, Reece and Malo tomorrow [Tuesday] or on Wednesday morning. They’re being managed. It was a good time for them to rest in the FA Cup game. There’s no point taking risks when you feel you can win the game [without them].”
Palmer has had a challenging campaign disrupted by injuries and missed 15 matches due to persistent groin issues and a broken toe. His impact on the side when fully fit is undeniable, though, and the England international had finally begun to nail down a regular run in the side injury-free before this latest knock.
As for right-back duo James and Gusto, the pair have been ever-reliable this term and often step into midfield when needed. Their availability to start would prove a massive boost to Rosenior ahead of the visit of Arsenal in a huge London derby showdown.
Rosenior could ring the changes from FA Cup tie amid Caicedo suspension
Elsewhere in the Blues side, Marc Cucurella will return from suspension after serving a one-match ban for his sending off at Fulham. He may feel fortunate that he could serve his suspension in the FA Cup last time out, but the same cannot be said for Moises Caicedo. The Ecuador international will be forced to sit out the first leg against the Gunners after picking up his second booking of the Carabao Cup campaign in the last round at Cardiff City, a suspension which will see him miss the opening game of the semi-final. The 24-year-old will serve his third suspension of the season already.
In defence, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana may return to the XI after being rested at the weekend, while Estevao and Pedro Neto could be rotated in on the wings in the place of Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho. Up front, both Joao Pedro and Liam Delap will be pushing to get the nod but the latter may be trusted with the responsibility to lead the line.
Full predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; James, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Delap.
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