Arsenal at Chelsea Carabao Cup Preview: Cups Runneth Over
Arsenal travel to London on Wednesday to face Chelsea in the first leg of the EFL Carabao Cup semi-finals.
After making relatively easy work of Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday, the Gunners head into the second game of a four-match road trip, with Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie potentially the most important on the list. There is the obvious importance of Saturday’s Premier League match at Nottingham Forest and the possibility of clinching top spot in the Champions League stage against Inter Milan next week, but there is a little wiggle room in both of those matches; not much, mind you, but enough to relieve some pressure. Wednesday’s match, however, potentially puts the Gunners within touching distance of an elusive cup final and their first chance at silverware this season.
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After their semi-final elimination last season, the Gunners are looking to make up for their shortcomings during the previous campaign. They laid an egg over two matches against eventual cup winners Newcastle, failing to find the net in either match. Far too much was made of Mikel Arteta’s response to questions on the ball afterwards, and the Gunners’ Cup failure was, predictably, used as a rod to beat them by the media and rivals.
This Arsenal has been significantly better than last season, but familiar problems persist. Difficulties in front of the net for forwards and injuries on defense have been constant sources of frustration. With those issues still unresolved, the Gunners head to Stamford Bridge for the second time this season after failing to put 10-man Chelsea to the sword the first time around. The Blues have a new manager, and certainly a new sense of hope that they can bounce the new manager all the way to a cup final at the expense of the Gunners.
Can Mikel Arteta’s side continue their determination on their rivals’ home turf, strengthen themselves and secure a result ahead of the second leg at home to move closer to the final?
Here are three talking points ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final:
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Know the enemy
One day you’re a title contender, the next day you’re going through yet another manager. Such is life on the blue side of London.
A lot has changed since Chelsea’s resounding 1-1 victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in late November. Instead of being a statement of intent and a title indictment like far too many of their fans swore it would be, it was the start of a massive downfall for the Blues. Since then, in their 11 matches, they have only won 3 times, 1 of which was against a PL team.
This slowdown, as is usually the case for them, led to the sacking of Enzo Maresca, who had not helped matters by apparently sending feelers to Manchester City about a possible job opening if Pep Guardiola resigned after this season. Maresca clashed with ownership and was fired, leading to the surprising hiring of Liam Rosenior, who joined from Chelsea. farm team French sister club Strasbourg, which was also owned by BlueCo as part of the ever-growing scourge of multi-club ownership.
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Among a long list of Chelsea managerial appointments, his is certainly one of the most interesting. After decent but not great tenures at Derby County, Hull City and Strasbourg, Chelsea’s decision to hire him was seen as a big gamble. Considering their recent manager was also a promising signing, this isn’t too surprising. But his lack of results in his previous appointments is certainly worth weighing up as he is handed the keys to a powerhouse Premier League club desperate to be a genuine title contender again.
It’s too early to say what Chelsea will look like under Rosenior. In their only game under his management last weekend, they beat Championship side Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the third round of the FA Cup, which isn’t really a barometer of how they view the future against better opposition. They looked a little sharper that night, as a team under a new manager and against lower league opposition usually does.
However, it is to be expected that the Blues will look to make a major statement against the Gunners. The stories are multiple and obvious: the hope of a new manager bouncing back, the chance to punch their ticket to a final and an even greater chance of punching a hated rival in the mouth. Hosting the first leg of the semi-final, they will be desperate to gain the lead before traveling to the Emirates for the second leg and gaining momentum as the second half of the season progresses.
They will be at a slight disadvantage, as Moises Caicedo will miss the match for accumulating yellow cards. MarC Cucurella, who was shown a red card against Fulham, will be available after serving his one-match suspension against Charlton. Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto and Reece James all missed the FA Cup tie through knocks but could be available for Wednesday’s game.
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Injuries and suspensions
Fortunately, Saturday’s FA Cup tie was not a very physical affair, and the players in attendance came out without any major knocks, pulls, twists or issues. Arteta reported that Riccardo Calafiori was still unavailable ahead of the match, with no updates on the progress of Cristhian Mosquera or Piero Hincapie. Hopefully all three will return to health as soon as possible.
OUT: Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Riccardo Calafiori (shot)
DOUBT: Piero Hincapie (hamstring)
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Attack: Trossard, Gyökeres, Saka
The Gunners were able to give their usual front three the night off over the weekend at Portsmouth. The return of Kai Havertz complicates the striker’s position, with Viktor Gyökeres in poor form in front of goal. Either way, Arsenal have options, and although Kai had a brief spell at Fratton Park, Gyökeres likely gets the start after Gabriel Jesus plays for 60 minutes on Saturday.
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Midfield: Rice, Zubimendi, Ødegaard
Arsenal’s midfield trio have cemented their starting role with no other player close to supplanting them in the starting XI. And for good reason. Each of them entered the new year in excellent form, but they will want to reach another level as the multiple competitions begin to reach the critical stages. Declan Rice was absent from Saturday’s match, while Martin Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard made second-half appearances.
Defense: MLS, Gabriel, Saliba, Bois
Gabriel Magalhães was the only starter in the Liverpool match to start against Portsmouth and was largely untroubled. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are in the spotlight for their respective places. The big talking point within the defense has been the performance of Myles Lewis-Skelly. Since his arrival against Liverpool for Hincapie, he has been far from the confident version we saw last season. With all injuries appearing to affect the left-back, he is the de facto starter until further notice. I hope he has gotten rid of all the problems that were affecting him and can get back into shape.
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Guardian: Raya
Kepa has been the cup keeper so far, but I imagine the Gunners will rely on David Raya in what will be a hostile Stamford Bridge. Kepa’s departure wouldn’t come as a shock either and would give him two consecutive starts for the Gunners.
The Carabao Cup isn’t quite the level of silverware that Gunners fans aspire to be, but it’s hard to sulk at every opportunity to put your name on a trophy when it’s been as long as it has been for Arsenal. Chelsea pose a unique test of concentration and courage for Mikel Arteta’s side. The first encounter was physical and emotional, with the Gunners looking out of place for most of the match. With a trophy potentially on the line, it will be paramount that players do not shy away from the occasion and let the crowd and the moment overtake their ultimate goal. Do that, and hopefully they can take the lead in the home game in two weeks.
WHO: Arsenal at Chelsea
WHAT: EFL Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
WHEN: Wednesday, January 14, 3:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. PST/8:00 p.m. GMT
OR: Stamford Bridge, London
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Paramount+ app
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