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Predicted Arsenal line-up against Chelsea

By on February 3, 2026

Arsenal

Arsenal are set to welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tonight.

After winning the away leg 3-2, the Gunners are in an advantageous position to reach the final and just need to avoid defeat in this encounter.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be coming into this game having enjoyed a thumping 4-0 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League. Following Manchester City’s draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has extended to six points.

Meanwhile, the North London club haven’t lost to the Blues over the last nine consecutive matches across all competitions.

Team news

Arsenal have continued to suffer fitness problems since the start of this season. Just as things appeared to be improving, Mikel Merino has now broken his foot and is set to remain sidelined for an extended period.

On the other hand, Bukayo Saka picked up an injury during warm-up ahead of the Leeds game. As a result, he couldn’t start last weekend and is in doubt for tonight’s derby.

Predicted line-up

Arteta is unlikely to make many changes to his starting line-up from the previous game, but Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start in goal ahead of David Raya.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should be the centre-back pairing, while Ben White may start in the right-back position. Riccardo Calafiori could be on the left, so Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber, and Piero Hincapié are likely to feature as substitutes if needed.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are set to keep hold of their place in the engine room, with Martin Odegaard likely to start in the creative midfield position. Therefore, Kai Havertz should return to the bench after starting the last two consecutive games.

If Saka can’t recover in time, Noni Madueke might be on the right, while Gabriel Martinelli may be on the opposite side. So, Leandro Trossard could feature off the bench.

Gabriel Jesus is likely to commence in the centre-forward position; in that case, Viktor Gyokeres would have to make do with a place on the bench despite putting his name on the scoresheet last time out.

Expected Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea

Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli

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