Match Preview for Arsenal v Chelsea
Arsenal can edge a step closer to their first Wembley final in six years when they host Chelsea tomorrow night.
The Gunners hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final after a pulsating game at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago.
Some indifferent form has followed but they looked back to their best in crushing Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday. In fact, it was an excellent weekend for Mikel Arteta’s side with closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa failing to win, meaning their lead at the top of the Premier League was extended to six points.
Chelsea will also go into the game on a high after their rousing win over West Ham.
It looked bleak for Liam Rosenior’s side when they trailed 2-0 at half-time after an abject first 45 minutes. But the introductions of Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Wesley Fofana transformed the game and the Blues came storming back to win it 3-2 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s goal in stoppage time.
Rosenior accepts his team are outsiders but hopes that fighting spirit will again be on show at the Emirates.
He said: “The reality is Arsenal are favourites for the tie. They’re a goal up, they’re at home so they’ll expect to go through. We need to take it as far as we can and as deep as we can and then the second half, hopefully, will be massive in terms of turning the tie around.
“I look at my team and they can play in big games and it’s definitely a big game on Tuesday. We need to recover, it’s another three-game week. It’s going to be a really physical game.”
Rosenior has made a strong start at Chelsea, winning six of his first seven games in charge but dismissed the suggestion that reaching Wembley would justify his appointment as successor to Enzo Maresca.
“I’ll be honest, all this ‘proof of me being right for the job’, or not, I don’t really care,” he added. “I’m here to do the job. If we get to the final, it’s great for Chelsea Football Club. It’s not about me. I will prove in time whether I’m worthy or whether I’m not but it’s not at the forefront of my mind.”
Team News for Arsenal v Chelsea
Arsenal have been handed the hammer blow of discovering midfielder Mikel Merino is likely to miss the remainder of the season with a foot injury sustained against Manchester United. Bukayo Saka is also a major doubt after pulling out of the game at Leeds with an injury sustained in the warm-up.
Rosenior rotated his squad for the game at the weekend and it backfired. The likes of Cucurella, Pedro and Fofana should start along with Reece James.
Jamie Gittens was taken off against West Ham and is unlikely to be involved. Willian Estevao remains on compassionate leave.
Predicted line-ups for Arsenal v Chelsea
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Rice, Zubimendi; Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Garnacho, Palmer; Pedro
How to watch Arsenal v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Arsenal versus Chelsea kicks off at 8pm UK time tomorrow night. You can watch it in the UK on Sky Sports and ITV. It can be streamed via the Sky Go and ITVX apps.
If you live outside the UK, please click HERE to find out your local rights holders.
Stats for Arsenal v Chelsea
- Chelsea have won their last five games in all competitions
- Chelsea haven’t beaten Arsenal in a competitive fixtures since 2021, a run of nine games
- Arsenal have won their last three meetings at the Emirates
