Stamford Bridge under the lights always feels a bit different. Tonight, January 14, 2026, it’s not just another London derby. It's the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, and if you’ve been following Mikel Arteta’s project, you know the stakes. Arsenal is currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League with a six-point cushion, but there’s this lingering itch for silverware. It’s been nearly seven years since a major trophy landed in the cabinet. That's a lifetime for a club this size.
Arsenal is visiting a Chelsea side that’s basically a wildcard right now. They’ve got Liam Rosenior in the dugout for his home debut after he replaced the previous regime. He just watched his team dismantle Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup, so the "new manager bounce" is in full effect. Arsenal, meanwhile, swatted away Portsmouth 4-1 on Sunday, though they did have a bit of a scare early on.
Basically, tonight is about momentum.
The Left-Back Crisis and Tactical Headaches
Arteta has a problem. A big one.
His defensive unit, which has been rock-solid for most of the season, is looking a bit thin. Both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are out with muscle injuries. Arteta confirmed yesterday at the Sobha Realty Training Centre that they aren't ready. Hincapie’s absence is particularly annoying since he picked it up during that stalemate with Liverpool.
This leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the only natural left-back. He’s a massive talent, don't get me wrong. But he’s looked a little rusty lately because he hasn't had the consistent minutes. Putting a teenager up against the likes of Pedro Neto or Estevao at the Bridge? That’s a bold move. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Arteta tries to get creative with Ben White or even shifts a winger back, though that feels like a recipe for a headache.
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Predicted Lineups and the Havertz Factor
The big news for the traveling fans is Kai Havertz. He’s finally back. After a year-long struggle with fitness and a long-awaited return against Portsmouth, he looks sharp. Arteta mentioned he’s "intelligent" and "connects naturally" with the squad. He probably won't start—Arteta is big on "building robustness"—but seeing him come off the bench against his former club would be classic football drama.
Here is what the starting eleven likely looks like for the Arsenal FC match today:
Kepa is expected to start in goal, protected by a back four of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, and likely Lewis-Skelly despite the experience gap. In the middle, the "preferred three" of Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Declan Rice should reunite to control the tempo. Up front, Bukayo Saka is a locked-in starter on the right. Viktor Gyokeres—who has been a revelation this season—will lead the line, with Leandro Trossard likely getting the nod over Gabriel Martinelli on the left.
Martinelli scored a hat-trick against Portsmouth, which usually makes you un-droppable, but Trossard has that "big game" composure that Arteta loves for away legs.
Chelsea’s New Look Under Rosenior
You can't ignore what's happening at Chelsea. Liam Rosenior is an interesting appointment. He’s coming off that Strasbourg stint and clearly wants to play a high-octane game.
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Chelsea’s likely XI:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Malo Gusto; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Cole Palmer is the obvious danger man. He’s fit despite some minor knocks earlier in the week. If Arsenal lets him drift between the lines, it’s going to be a long night. Chelsea is missing Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella is suspended, so their backline isn't exactly at full strength either. It’s basically a battle of who can hide their defensive flaws better.
What History Tells Us (and Why it Might Lie)
The head-to-head record recently favors the Gunners. In the last five meetings, Chelsea hasn't managed a single win. Arsenal has won two, and they've shared the points three times. Their last meeting in November was a 1-1 draw at this very stadium.
But domestic cups are weird.
Arsenal hasn't won the League Cup since 1993. That’s a bizarre stat when you think about how much they’ve dominated the FA Cup in that time. Chelsea’s drought is shorter—they last won it in 2015—but the hunger is just as real.
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The computer models are leaning toward an Arsenal win (about a 42% chance), but a draw is hovering around 29%. Given that the last three Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge ended 2-2, 1-1, and 1-1, another stalemate wouldn't be the shock of the century.
Key Match Details for Fans
- Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT)
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Referee: Simon Hooper (VAR: Jarred Gillett)
- TV/Streaming: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football in the UK. CBS Sports Network for US viewers.
Strategy for the Second Leg
Remember, this is a two-legged affair. The away goals rule is a thing of the past, so Arsenal doesn't need to go scorched earth tonight. The goal is to get back to the Emirates on February 3rd with a clean slate or a lead.
Arteta is going to want to control the middle of the park. If Zubimendi and Rice can neutralize Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Arsenal wins the game. It’s that simple. Chelsea's threat comes from the wings and the individual brilliance of Palmer.
Actionable Insights for Tonight
If you're watching or betting on the Arsenal FC match today, keep an eye on the left-back slot. If Lewis-Skelly starts, Chelsea will target him immediately.
Watch for Leandro Trossard’s movement. He’s scored five in his last 12 league games and has a knack for being in the right place during cup ties. Also, don't expect a boring 0-0. Six of Chelsea's last seven games have seen over 2.5 goals. Both teams have defensive injuries and high-quality attackers.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Official Lineups: These usually drop at 7:00 PM GMT. Look for William Saliba’s name—he’s a late fitness doubt, and his presence changes the entire defensive dynamic.
- Tune into the Pre-match: Sky Sports usually starts their coverage an hour before kick-off with tactical breakdowns.
- Monitor the Second Leg Date: Mark February 3rd in your calendar for the return leg at the Emirates.
The road to Wembley goes through West London tonight. Arsenal has the form, but Chelsea has the "new manager" mystery. It’s going to be tense, likely loud, and almost certainly a bit chaotic.