Football.London reporters pick their Arsenal starting XIs for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea (3-2)
17:00, 02 Feb 2026
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Arsenal already have one foot in the League Cup final
Arsenal can book their place in their first League Cup final since 2018 if they can successfully battle past Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Gunners take a 3-2 lead into the second leg following an impressive display at Stamford Bridge, however, the tie is by no means done as Alejandro Garnacho bagged a second-half brace for the Blues.
Nonetheless, Arsenal have the wind back in their sails following Saturday's 4-0 Premier League win at Leeds, even though they lost Bukayo Saka to injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are brimming with confidence following their thrilling and pulsating 3-2 victories over Napoli and West Ham, respectively.
Football.London reporters Tom Canton (chief Arsenal correspondent) and Ryan Taylor pick their Arsenal starting XIs for the contest.
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Tom Canton
Arsenal could have killed this game off in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, but the two goals from Alejandro Garnacho have kept the Blues in with a hope. For that reason, I think Arteta needs to go strong here and play the majority of his starters.
There can be some changes of course, because the depth is so strong, and also a chance to give Riccardo Calafiori a first start back at left back too. I would bring Eberechi Eze into the left-wing position, rest Leandro Trossard, and move Gabriel Martinelli to the right.
The Brazilian needs to play against the Blues, who will be looking to attack, and Martinelli can be so valuable on the counter. Odegaard returns also into the midfield, hoping to be the catalyst for some counter attacks after a good response to being dropped at Leeds.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Chelsea : Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Martinelli, Gyokeres, Eze
Kai Havertz is pushing to feature for Arsenal
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Kai Havertz started Arsenal's 4-0 win at Leeds(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Ryan Taylor
This is not the kind of game where substantial rotation is necessary because a place at Wembley and a shot at silverware is on the line.
Arsenal will go strong but Kepa Arrizabalaga will remain between the sticks and that's only fair, even if he looked shaky during the first leg.
The back-four picks itself with Riccardo Calafiori coming back in for Piero Hincapie at left-back.
Martin Odegaard should return in midfield alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, too.
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In attack, Mikel Arteta is facing some tough calls but I would go with Kai Havertz through the middle, providing he can start two matches in a row, Noni Madueke on the left providing Bukayo Saka is still unavailable and Leandro Trossard on the left.
Taylor’s Arsenal XI vs Chelsea : Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Havertz, Trossard
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