Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal will welcome Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on 3 February 2026 at 22:00 for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
- The Gunners carry a 3-2 advantage from their victory at Stamford Bridge less than a month ago
- Both squads face selection concerns, with notable injury and availability updates impacting their line-ups
Fixture Preview
Arsenal and Chelsea are set for a high-stakes encounter today at the Emirates Stadium. The second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final will decide which side secures a spot in the competition’s first final, with Arsenal currently leading the tie 3-2 following their triumph at Stamford Bridge on 14 January 2026.
Wembley awaits…
It’s time for the Carabao Cup Semi-Final second legs! 😍#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/XXwTeR4FjK
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 2, 2026
Recent Results and Form Guide
| Arsenal Last 5 Matches | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs Leeds | 31.01.2026 | Premier League | 4-0 Win |
| vs Kairat | 28.01.2026 | Champions League | 3-2 Win |
| vs Manchester United | 25.01.2026 | Premier League | 2-3 Loss |
| vs Inter | 20.01.2026 | Champions League | 3-1 Win |
| vs Nottingham Forest | 17.01.2026 | Premier League | 0-0 Draw |
| Chelsea Last 5 Matches | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs West Ham | 31.01.2026 | Premier League | 3-2 Win |
| vs Napoli | 28.01.2026 | Champions League | 3-2 Win |
| vs Crystal Palace | 25.01.2026 | Premier League | 3-1 Win |
| vs Pafos | 21.01.2026 | Champions League | 1-0 Win |
| vs Brentford | 17.01.2026 | Premier League | 2-0 Win |
Arsenal have recorded three wins, one draw, and one defeat across their last five fixtures in all competitions. Their most recent Premier League outing saw the Gunners dispatch Leeds 4-0 on 31 January 2026, with other notable results including a 3-2 win over Kairat in the Champions League and a 2-3 defeat to Manchester United. Prior to that, they triumphed 3-1 against Inter and shared points with Nottingham Forest in a goalless draw.
Chelsea, in contrast, come into this clash riding a wave of confidence after posting five straight victories. The Blues overcame West Ham 3-2 and Crystal Palace 3-1 in their most recent league contests. Their Champions League campaign saw them edge out Napoli 3-2 and Pafos 1-0, while they also secured a 2-0 success over Brentford in the league.
Recent Head-to-Head Meetings
| Date | Competition | Fixture | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.01.2026 | Carabao Cup | Chelsea vs Arsenal | 2-3 |
| 30.11.2025 | Premier League | Chelsea vs Arsenal | 1-1 |
| 16.03.2025 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Chelsea | 1-0 |
| 23.04.2024 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Chelsea | 5-0 |
| 10.11.2024 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Chelsea | 1-1 |
Arsenal appear to have the upper hand in recent matchups, having claimed victory twice and drawn three times in their last five meetings with Chelsea. In their previous Carabao Cup encounter on 14 January 2026, the Gunners prevailed 3-2 at Stamford Bridge. The last two Premier League contests between the clubs resulted in 1-1 draws, while Arsenal secured a slender 1-0 win in March 2025 and produced a commanding 5-0 performance in April 2024. This trend indicates Arsenal may hold a psychological advantage in recent fixtures.
Team News and Selection Updates
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will not be able to include Mikel Merino who suffered a serious injury in the squad for this fixture. Max Dowman remains sidelined as well. Bukayo Saka is a doubt but retains a good chance of being available for selection.
Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior is awaiting updates on Estevao Willian, currently absent due to personal reasons. Jamie Gittens’ involvement is uncertain following an injury picked up against West Ham. The Blues will have to cope without Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, and Dario Essugo, all of whom have been ruled out of contention.
