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Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview
For all the lack of job security he is likely to face at Chelsea, new manager Liam Rosenior knows victory over Arsenal in the EFL Cup could help his ambitions of matching Gunners counterpart Mikel Arteta’s six-plus year reign at the Premier League leaders.
In his first home match in charge, Rosenior can take a step towards his first trophy as coach with victory in the first leg of the semi-finals.
“I would love to be here for six years and more, but I am aware that for that I have to win,” said Rosenior, who took over from Enzo Maresca last week after the Italian’s 18-month term ended.
“I have ideas of what I want the team to look like in a year, two years, three years. But I think I have enough resources and enough tools with me now to win now.
“I made it clear to the players. We will do our best on Wednesday.”
Arsenal made 10 changes for their FA Cup third round match at Second Division Portsmouth on Sunday, winning 4-1 thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli hat-trick.
“I know people who have worked with [Rosenior]”, said manager Mikel Arteta. “I know people who have been close to him throughout his journey – especially as a manager – and they speak very highly of him.
“I hope we learn from [losing to Newcastle in the semi-finals] last year because it was painful – especially given the way the matches went and the number of missed opportunities – not to qualify.
“Hopefully this year we will be better and hopefully more efficient. [We have] the feeling that the goal is very, very close and that is a huge motivation for everyone.
Chelsea vs Arsenal team news
Mosies Caicedo is serving a one-match ban for Chelsea. Fellow midfielders Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo remain sidelined with hamstring problems and central defender Levi Colwill is suffering from a long-term knee injury.
Full-backs Malo Gusto and Reece James and striker Cole Palmer are injury doubts, having been left out of Saturday’s 5-1 win over Second Division Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.
“They are well managed and it was a good time to rest,” Rosenior said. “I believe in this group and there is no reason to take risks on the health of the players if you believe we can win the match.
“That means they can come in and get extra training sessions and extra work, and that’s how it’s gone so far.”
Wideman Marc Cucurella is available after suspension. Winger Mykhailo Mudryk has not played since November 2024 after being suspended by the FA following an alleged abnormal drug test result.
Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie remains out, having been replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in their starting line-up at Portsmouth, having been ruled out with a potential hamstring problem suffered in the 0-0 home draw against Liverpool three days earlier.
Defender Cristhian Mosquera and winger Max Dowman are out with ankle injuries. Full-back Riccardo Calafiori has been sidelined with an unspecified problem and centre-back William Saliba and striker Leandro Trossard are doubtful.
Winger Ethan Nwaneri made his first start for two months at Fratton Park. Defender Marli Salmon, who turned 16 in August, became the club’s youngest player in the FA Cup when she made her second appearance for Arsenal from the bench during the second half.
Expected Chelsea vs. Arsenal line-ups
Chelsea starting XI: Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto
Arsenal starting lineup: David Raya, Timber juror, and Gabriel Magagile, Mynel Lewis-Skeys
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal: TV channel, live stream online
The match begins on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. GMT / 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT and is broadcast live in the UK on ITV, STV, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra.
Viewers on ITV can stream the action via the ITVX app. Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a one-day subscription, £26 per month for a six-month subscription or £34.99 per month without a contract.
Sky Sports subscriptions include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live broadcasts and a dedicated channel.
Fans can watch online and on the go using the SkyGO app, available on a wide range of devices including smart TVs, games consoles, set-top boxes and mobile devices.
The return match takes place at the same time, Tuesday February 3.
Chelsea vs Arsenal Stats
- This will be the 99th match at Stamford Bridge between teams who have met 212 times in all competitions, with 84 wins for Arsenal, 66 for Chelsea and 62 draws.
- This is their seventh EFL Cup meeting and third in the semi-finals
- Chelsea have won four of their last six meetings with Arsenal in competitions
- The Blues have won one of their last 13 matches in all competitions against Arsenal, dating back to January 2020.
- The only victory along the way came at the Emirates Stadium in August 2021, scoring thanks to first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and James.
- They have played more games against Arsenal than any other opponent, playing them 13 times more than Liverpool and 14 more than Manchester United.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions at Stamford Bridge (3 wins, 3 draws)
- They had lost their five previous visits to Chelsea, all in the league between 2013 and 2017.
- Arteta’s team are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions (8 wins)
- Including a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on November 30, Arsenal have scored in each of their last 13 away matches
