Chelsea face Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg with a number of key players absent from the fixture as a result of illness and injury
Patrick Austen-Hardy Senior Sports Journalist and Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
20:32, 14 Jan 2026
Liam Rosenior sits in the dugout
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Chelsea are without a number of key players against Arsenal(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea headed into tonight's first-leg League Cup semi-final showdown with Arsenal carrying a lengthy injury list.
Summer acquisitions Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens are both ruled out through illness, while Liam Rosenior is also missing captain Reece James, talisman Cole Palmer and the promising Malo Gusto. Record signing Moises Caicedo is suspended for the final following his booking in the triumph over Cardiff City in the last round.
Additionally, James sustained a hip problem ahead of tonight's encounter that has sidelined him, while Palmer continues to battle groin issues. It's precisely what Rosenior doesn't want for his maiden match as boss at Stamford Bridge.
Addressing the absentees, Rosenior explained: "It's unfortunate. Reece took a whack on his hip and he is not quite ready for this. Unfortunately for Cole, who is an outstanding player, he should be available for Saturday, but he did not quite make it for this one.
"Liam was ill three hours ago, Jamie Gittens fell down with illness and Malo hopefully (will be fit) for Brentford. Yeah, we've gone through the wars the last couple of days, but at the same time, I still think we are good enough to be competitive and try to win this game."
Rosenior kicked off his tenure impressively with a thumping 5-1 triumph away at Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round at the weekend.
Yet with so much on the line and Arsenal currently amongst Europe's hottest sides, the former Hull City boss faces his biggest test yet.
Liam Delap of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with teammates Cole Palmer and Reece James during the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on January 7, 2026 in London, England
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Liam Delap, Reece James and Cole Palmer are all absent(Image: 2026 Vince Mignott/MB Media)
Chelsea aren't alone with regards to player injuries, however, with Arsenal also heading into the match with a number of absentees to navigate. While Kai Havertz was deemed fit enough to make the Gunners' substitutes' bench, defensive woes continue to plague the Gunners.
Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori all miss the match through respective issues, while Max Dowman is also unavailable for selection as a result of an ankle injury.
As a result of a weakened squad, Rosenior will be determined to ensure Arsenal must wait until at least the summer for their next shot at glory by dumping them out of the League Cup semi-final.
Head Coach Liam Rosenior of Chelsea takes in his new surroundings before the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2026 in London, England
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Rosenior is overseeing his first match at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager(Image: 2026 Robin Jones)
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Speaking ahead of kick-off about his blueprint for toppling Arsenal, he said: "Arsenal are an outstanding team, but we are an outstanding team. Sometimes we talk about organisation and tactics, they're very important.
"But I just want to see an attitude and an energy from my team today as fearless, to take the game forward and try to attack. After that, the finer details will take care of themselves."
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