Arsenal take on Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal at the Emirates Stadium, with hopes of reaching the final, and this is the team that Mikel Arteta has chosen to do just yet.
This season could mark the end of Arsenal’s wait for silverware, with fans eager to see success not only in the Carabao Cup but also in the Premier League and Champions League. While a cup victory would be celebrated, the team faces a determined Chelsea side equally intent on adding to their own honours this term.
A Tough Challenge Awaits
The encounter promises to be a challenging one for Mikel Arteta’s squad. Arsenal cannot afford to underestimate Chelsea, who almost overturned the tie in the first leg. Although the Gunners secured a 3-2 win in that match, the margin is narrow, and complacency would be costly. Arsenal are expected to raise their performance levels to ensure progression to the final.
Form adds an extra layer of intrigue to the clash. Arsenal have not lost any of their last five meetings with Chelsea, providing confidence in the historical record. Meanwhile, the Blues arrive on the back of five consecutive wins across all competitions, carrying momentum and belief into the fixture.
Anticipation and Uncertainty
The combination of past results and current form suggests that fans can anticipate a high-quality contest. Both teams possess the quality and motivation to make a decisive impact, and the match is likely to be closely contested until the final whistle. Despite Arsenal’s position as favourites, Chelsea’s recent performances mean that victory is far from guaranteed for the Gunners.
Supporters of both clubs can expect a tense, competitive game, with the outcome uncertain. The second leg at the Emirates promises to deliver drama, skill, and the kind of intensity expected from a Carabao Cup semifinal.
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Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Eze. Madueke.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Hincapie. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Kepa.
Subs – Jesus, Trossard, Havertz, Norgaard, Calafiori, Skelly, Mosquera, White, Raya.
Injured – Merino, Saka, Odegaard.
No Odegaard, not even on the bench. No Saka either. But better to have them ready for the weekend game. Although I haven’t heard that Odegaard is injured.
Come on you Gunners, can you make the final?. 🤞
Santos. Pedro. Delap.
Cucurella. Enzo. Caicedo. Gusto.
Hato. Chalobah. Fofana.
Sanchez.
A change of formation for Chelsea
They want to choke the midfield with a 3-4-3 .
Our wingers could have a field day with long balls into the full back positions
COYG!
I expect Chelsea to come at us, with everything they have. It’s a cup game and they’re behind by a goal, Martineli and Noni will have to cause a lot problems with the space left behind by their full backs.
Chelsea has nothing to lose so they will come hard at us.
Strange though they play with 5 defenders and 3 defensive/central midfielders.
Chelsea came to keep us busy in the first half and hit us with pace in the second half through the introduction of Garnacho and the support of Palmer.
@I
Exactly….🎯
I’m still cross from the first leg to be honest. The team Chelsea had out that night wasn’t at all good, with key players missing, low confidence. We led by two goals for a lot of the game. But don’t forget we left handbrake off for the whole match. Even two up we are leaving no one back, everyone bombing forward for more goals. It was wrong. If there was anytime this whole season to put on handbrake, it was at two nil or deffo at three one. Chelsea had to open right up, we could and should have sat back and picked them off.
If this stronger and more buoyant Chelsea side go through tonight, perhaps on pens, it’s in that first leg we let ourselves down in a tie we should have won.
It’s left me with a frustrated and nervous feeling before kick off of this one.
Why complaining when the match is yet to start… Relax and enjoy the team play
….just too pessimistic…..
Arsenal will win so long as we attack the blues defence with a bit of confidence.
I think the referee will be busy tonight and it would not surprize me if one or two red cards are issued with Delap a likely candidate with his battering ram tactics.The first goal is vital and lets hope Eze shows his undoubted skills and makes things happen tonight.
@Moon Girl
🎯👍🏾
@Moon Girl
We have a formidable bench as well the TWELTH MAN advantage which is a reason for optimism.
You’re not kidding.
🙂 lol
What wrong with Ode?
“Small niggle” says Arteta
They are becoming rather frequent now, them small niggles
Following our blip – at home – against Man Utd i’d expect Chelski to turn-up tonight showing us nil respect and trying every delay tactic in the book. I’m talking feigning injury and resort to dark arts.
We’ve no choice but to put them to the sword in the worst way – Plenty goals to break their spirit.
Our bench always brings on a GREAT big smile :).
Let’s do this boys.
COYG.
@Lozza
✊🏾
Thought we’d go with Norgaard and rest Zubi! COYG Let’s go to Wembley
I know they are managing his mins after injury but if I’m a Chelsea can surely Palmer starting in a semi final is more important then him starting at Wolves ?
Being English , im starting to worry about him being healthy for the World Cup ?
Ooh
That was exciting
Gently, gently
I think we are doing a draw which will be enough. Am okay with that it’s better we draw now and win the next game with them in a couple of weeks time😁
What has happen to the team who played against Leeds?We have the handbrake firmly on.
Started brightly but fading already after 30 mins..
#10 Eberechi Eze just doesn’t do enough in the middle going forward.
I watch him and often wonder why.
He’ll likely score now that we point out his ‘casual’ non-combative playing style. But yeah id like him to impose himself more physically… without him being sent off that is.
Let’s hope his second-half is a vast improvement.
It’s not about being combative
It’s that in an attacking Midfield role he stays up as if he’s the top 9
Not seeing that the responsibility of creating something is largely on him
Rather than leaving the CB/DM/CM to be struggling to bring to ball forward
It practically your responsibility – get involved and own the work of creating something for your teammate – Not you waiting for them to create something for you
Its a semi-final – trust me IT IS about earning the right to win every ball and being ‘combative’. He needs to be a greater presence, win the ball and open it up for VG14 or Martinelli.
If Chelsea score the first goal we are in trouble.We just need to be more positive .
|
…but they won’t score 1st – We will. They’ll have to take more risks second half… then VG14 will strike.
We wouldn’t be in trouble. No.
We’d be in big trouble.
We are not trying to win this game. Playing for a draw. Risky tactic.
Reggie, Chelsea aren’t trying to win it either unless they make attacking changes in the second half. I see a comfortable draw. Risky? Yes it’s only a one nil lead. They make changes it opens up the middle and kai scores.
We are missing Odegaard in that midfield.
Eze is not doing enough.
Anyway, it’s advantage Arsenal long as it remains this way
Was watching Crystal Palace highlights from earlier in season. Eze unrecognisable to now. Product of our tactics, I guess.
Super kai will come on and create more chances
I think he is coming on Kenya001👍
And he won us the game suep
👍
Come on Arsenal let’s get that first goal 🤞
We have to make subs when they make them. DDoesnt look like the ref is on our side, full scale Kung fu throw down on Hincapie, and nothing.
The refereeing is atrocious bordering on bias
I disagree.
We’ve been atrocious.
So has the refereeing, yet another yellow card for Pedro trying to simulate a penalty.
We can’t keep doing this, we need to make some subs.
Not liking what I’m seeing. Chelsea look like they might score and we’re still playing for a draw..
Should have taken off Eze and left on Gyo. Just saying..,🤨
Our lack of a push for a goal might just be our downfall..
Still think the ref isn’t against us? Stonewall penalty.
Var trying hard to make this a contest, stonewall penalty, yes he gets the ball with 1st tackle then deliberately trips Martinelli with his 2nd leg.
✔️🎯
@Ackshay
Justice was served…
I don’t want to play like this. Bring on Jesus, Arteta.
6 minutes? Where on earth did that come from?
Is this the first football match you’ve ever seen?
Smasherooos!
What a drama
Yeah, and with the right result! Chelsea failing at the end.
We’re into a final! The quadruple is still on… (haha)
@Sue P
“Smasherooos!”…Very well put. 😂
Thought that was the best match we’ve played in a while actually, even without much of an attacking flair. Just 100% commitment, well done Arsenal !
Classic tournament game. And with a fair (and deserved) result!
@RSH
Totally agree 🎯
Just happy we won
Well deserved win, better over both legs, even with the handbrake on in this game. Chelsea were/are not good enough.
@Reggie
Realness…👍🏾
The first subs and changing it up from Chelsea made it so much easier for us.
I think we played with 100 percent commitment to details, lots of concentration and less errors, it made chealsea confused and lack composure to play there normal rugby. It was also strength for strength. Well done lads, this is how to approach big games
It is never, never easy with Arsenal.
@Gmv8
If it comes easy, than it doesn’t taste as good. Just sayin…😁
World champions 😅 we’re going to Wembley 😁
Tatically got that spot on Arteta
Growing up it used to be us with all the ball and Chelsea hard to break down
How things change
A well managed game, at no point was I scared. How tables have turned. Wembley here we come. We lift this cup and we are destined for greatness. It will just unlock so much.
“ at no point was I scared”
I was flipping hating it. Biting my nails. I stuck out a leg to block everyone of Chelsea’s shots!
Moon Girl,
You say you stuck out a leg to block everyone of Chelsea’s shots!. Just how long are you’re legs. 😂👍
A very disciplined game by Arsenal with the handbrake on. But the tactics were perhaps not so bad, because Chelsea probably expected Arsenal to play more forward, which would give them some expected chances on the counter. But we wisely held back and delivered a disciplined performance, which also meant that we didn’t have to use a lot of effort. There are enough important games for Arsenal to concentrate on in the various tournaments, where we are excellently represented in all of them. Important thing is now, we are ready for Wimbley.