Arsenal vs Chelsea Match Preview
Arsenal can take a step closer to their first Wembley final in six years when they host Chelsea tomorrow evening.
The Gunners hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final after a thrilling match at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago.
An indifferent form followed, but they did their best in crushing Leeds 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday. In fact, it was a great weekend for Mikel Arteta’s side, with their 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 match on a high after their resounding victory against West Ham.
It looked bleak for Liam Rosenior’s side as 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 match and the Blues came back strong to win 3-2 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s goal in stoppage time.
Rosenior acknowledges his team is foreign, but hopes their fighting spirit will be present again in the Emirates.
He said: “The reality is Arsenal are favorites for this tie. They’re a goal ahead, they’re at home so they expect to go through. “We need to go as far as we can and as deep as we can and the second half will hopefully be huge in terms of a turnaround.
“I look at my team and they can play big games and it’s definitely a big game on Tuesday. We have 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 rejected the suggestion that reaching Wembley would justify his appointment as Enzo Maresca’s successor.
“I’ll be honest, all this ‘proof that I’m fit for the job’, or not, I don’t 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 not, but it’s not a priority in my mind.”
Team news for Arsenal vs Chelsea
Arsenal have been dealt the hammer blow with the discovery that midfielder Mikel Merino faces missing the rest of the season with a foot injury suffered against Manchester United. Bukayo Saka is also a major doubt after withdrawing from the match at Leeds due to an injury suffered in the warm-up.
Rosenior rotated his team for the weekend’s match and it backfired. Players like Cucurella, Pedro and Fofana should start alongside Reece James.
Jamie Gittens was withdrawn against West Ham and is unlikely to be involved. Willian Estevao remains on compassionate leave.
Predicted line-ups for Arsenal vs Chelsea
Arsenal: Raya; White, salba, Gabriel, Cafarori; Odegarard, Riz, Zubimendi; Madueke, Martinell, Jesus
Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Neto, Garnacho, Palmer; Rock
How to watch Arsenal v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Arsenal v Chelsea kicks off tomorrow evening at 8pm UK time. 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 vs Chelsea
- Chelsea have won their last five matches in all competitions
- Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in a competitive match since 2021, a run of nine matches.
- Arsenal have won their last three meetings at the Emirates
