Chelsea vs Arsenal tonight in Carabao Cup semi-final leg 2, Gunners seek final berth

Arsenal tonight tries to clinch the Carabao Cup final against a desperate Chelsea side seeking an incredible comeback. The Gunners hold a thrilling 3-2 aggregate lead from the January 14 first leg at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is 8pm GMT at Emirates Stadium tonight.

Arsenal Hold Commanding Position Over Blues

Arsenal took control in the first leg with a dominant display at Stamford Bridge. Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi all found the net for the Gunners. TheSwede Gyokeres earned player of the match honors after his stellar performance. Alejandro Garnacho scored twice off the bench for Chelsea to keep his team alive.

Arsenal is unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Chelsea in all competitions. Manager Mikel Arteta has confident Gunners players hungry to reach their first Carabao Cup final since the competition began. Chelsea newcomer manager Liam Rosenior endured defeat in his first home match but has inspired recent form.

Chelsea’s Recent Form Offers Sliver of Hope

Chelsea has won five consecutive matches heading into tonight, including a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat West Ham recently. This momentum boost gives Liam Rosenior‘s squad confidence they can overturn the 3-2 deficit at Emirates Stadium. The Blues must score multiple goals while keeping Arsenal‘s attack quiet, an extremely difficult task.

Chelsea need to overcome the pressure and tactical quality of Arteta‘s side. The odds favor Arsenal advancing, but Chelsea‘s recent improvements suggest this could be an entertaining second half battle.

Injury Issues and Team News Shape Both Squads

Factor	Arsenal	Chelsea
Key Injury	Mikel Merino out, Bukayo Saka a doubt	Levi Colwill out (ACL injury)
Recent Form	Won 4-0 vs Leeds United last match	Won 5 consecutive matches
Advantage	3-2 aggregate lead overall	Must score multiple goals away

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is ruled out with a shoulder injury requiring surgery. Bukayo Saka is a doubt after missing the Leeds match but Arteta played down fears about his availability. Chelsea will miss defender Levi Colwill, who suffered an ACL injury in pre-season and is out long-term. Referee Peter Bankes has been assigned to handle tonight’s heated London derby.

“I think it’s not Ben’s first assist to me, I knew he was going to find me so it’s nice!”

— Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal striker, on Ben White’s assist in leg one

Arsenal Eyes Historic Final Berth

Arsenal are seeking their first Carabao Cup final appearance in years under Arteta‘s management. A positive result tonight would crown a major trophy push for the Gunners. Chelsea cannot afford complacency or tactical mistakes. The intensity level will be extremely high at Emirates Stadium with passionate Arsenal fans eager for a statement victory.

Ben White‘s performance and Viktor Gyokeres‘ goal-scoring threat give Arsenal attacking options. Chelsea must find creative solutions to breach an organised defensive unit.

Will Arsenal Secure Their Place in the Final?

The narrative seems clear. Arsenal holds the advantage and plays at home with a 3-2 aggregate edge. Chelsea has the form to compete but faces mountain-sized odds. Expect Arsenal to control possession and counterattack opportunities. The second half will likely determine whether the Gunners finally reach the Carabao Cup final or face Chelsea mounting a miraculous comeback.

Tonight’s match kicks off at 8pm GMT at Emirates Stadium. Fans worldwide will watch to see if Arsenal‘s dominance continues or if Chelsea stages one of football’s great escapes.

Sources

• Sky Sports – Live coverage and match updates from Arsenal vs Chelsea Carabao Cup second leg
• ESPN – Official final score and report from Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal first leg January 14, 2026
• Arsenal Official – Team news, injury updates, and pre-match preview from Emirates Stadium