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Predicted Arsenal line-up against Chelsea

By on January 14, 2026

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Following a comfortable 4-1 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round fixture last weekend, Arsenal are set to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Although the Gunners have become a title challenger under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, they haven’t won any trophy since the FA Cup victory back in 2020. Therefore, Arteta would be desperate to win more than one big silverware this season.

On the other hand, following Enzo Maresca’s departure, Chelsea have appointed Liam Rosenior as the new manager, and this is going to be his first big assignment as the Blues’ boss.

Team news

Arsenal have suffered numerous fitness problems since the start of this season and are expected to be without several key players tonight. Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié, Cristhian Mosquera, and Max Dowman are all unavailable owing to their respective problems.

Moreover, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard have sustained injuries and are in doubt for this encounter. Thankfully, Kai Havertz returned to action last weekend after remaining sidelined over the last few months and is available for this game.

Predicted line-up

Arteta made several changes to his starting line-up last weekend, keeping an eye on this crucial game. So, David Raya should return following a rare weekend break.

Saliba should be fit enough to start, and Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to start alongside the Frenchman at the heart of the defence. Ben White could be in the right-back position, while Jurrien Timber might be on the opposite side for the Gunners.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice are likely to be the midfield partnership, while Martin Odegaard is set to be the creative midfielder. Therefore, Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, and Eberechi Eze would have to make do with a place on the bench.

Gabriel Martinelli is expected to keep hold of his place on the left flank, having scored a hat-trick against Portsmouth, while Bukayo Saka could be on the opposite side ahead of Noni Madueke.

Viktor Gyokeres may lead the line for the visitors; in that case, Havertz and Gabriel Jesus should feature as substitutes.

Expected Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea

Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

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