**By Danong**
**Arsenal return to action tonight as they host Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.**
**Having edged the first leg 3-2 at Stamford Bridge, the Gunners now have every reason to believe they can finish the job and secure their place in the final.**
**Fresh from a ruthless 4-0 demolition of Leeds, Mikel Arteta had the luxury of an almost full squad to choose from, save for Mikel Merino and teenage prospect Max Dowman. Yet, in the warm-up for that game, Bukayo Saka picked up an untimely knock.**
**The star boy now joins Merino and Dowman on the list of expected absentees against Chelsea.**
**Fortunately for Arsenal, Noni Madueke stepped in seamlessly at Elland Road, delivering a masterclass with both an assist and a goal.**
**Arteta will be hoping the winger can carry that momentum into tonight’s clash, helping his side dispatch their London rivals and book a place in the Carabao Cup final.**
**Still, Madueke cannot shoulder the burden alone. Arteta would be wise to go strong with his selection, fielding a line-up such as:**
**Kepa**
**White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori**
**Norgaard, Rice, Odegaard**
**Madueke, Havertz, Martinelli**
**Zubimendi can be rested as he has played a lot of games. He can come in to help shore up if needed.**
**With potential game-changers waiting on the bench, this Arsenal side should prove too powerful for Liam Rosenior’s side.**
**Even so, Arsenal will relish the chance to dispatch Chelsea at their strongest, underlining their intent to march into the final.**