Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Tactics, Squad News and Predictions

Arsenal and Chelsea face off at the Emirates Stadium on February 3 ,2025 2300 hrs EAT in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with the Gunners holding a slender advantage.

Arsenal secured a 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in the first leg last month, giving them the upper hand heading into the return fixture.

However, the tie remains finely poised.

Mikel Arteta’s side may feel they should have a more comfortable qualification after twice establishing a two-goal lead in west London.

Ben White and Viktor Gyokeres fired Arsenal into a 2-0 lead before Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back for Chelsea.

Martin Zubimendi restored the visitors’ two-goal advantage with Arsenal’s third, but Garnacho struck again to keep the Blues within touching distance.

That late goal ensured the contest remains wide open ahead of the decisive clash in north London.

Both teams come into the match in strong form. Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 Premier League win over Leeds, while Chelsea edged West Ham 3-2 in their latest outing.

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With confidence high on both sides, the winner will book a place at Wembley, where either Manchester City or Newcastle United await.

City are favourites to progress after claiming a 2-0 first-leg victory at St James’ Park.

Managers

Arteta

“Yes, I mean the next one is always the most important one and it is the closest at least to reach a final,” he explained. “And tomorrow we are going to have people who really need to create the atmosphere, the energy, the belief that we are going to do it. Altogether, I am sure we are very capable of doing that.”

Rosenior

“The reality is that Arsenal are favourites for the tie. They’re a goal up and they’re at home, so they’ll expect to go through. We need to take it as far as we can and as deep as we can, then hopefully the second half will be massive in terms of turning the tie around.”

Tactics

Chelsea

Liam Rosenior likes a 4-2-3-1 shape that is set up to utilise Chelsea’s pace and dynamism on the wings.

You will often see the Blues playing risky passes out from the back or in midfield, trying to break the lines, and from those positions, his side regularly looks to raid down the flanks, where Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are all encouraged to run at full-backs.

Arsenal

Arteta has evolved Arsenal’s tactics into a highly flexible, “hybrid” 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 system that focuses on suffocating opponents through high-intensity pressing and positional control.

Key features include Declan Rice playing in a more advanced, box-to-box role, and the integration of striker Viktor Gyökeres to facilitate more direct, vertical attacks against mid-blocks.

Squad News

Arsenal

Mikel Merino will miss the semi-final second leg after it was confirmed that he will undergo foot surgery following the injury he sustained against Manchester United.

Meanwhile, manager Mikel Arteta also revealed that Bukayo Saka will be assessed ahead of the clash after the winger picked up a knock during the warm-up before Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Leeds United.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Ødegaard, Rice; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.

Chelsea

Rosenior confirmed Chelsea would be without Jamie Gittens after he was substituted off against West Ham United in the first half.

Winger Estevao could also miss the contest for personal reasons, and goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is also a doubt.

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Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Pedro.

Arsenal vs. Chelsea Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Arsenal: 3 wins

Chelsea: 0 wins

Draws: 2

Last meeting: Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal (Jan. 14, 2025)-Carabao Cup

Predictions

Rosenior’s tactical flexibility and sharp in-game adjustments have played a crucial role in Chelsea’s last two wins.

However, they may need a strong and aggressive start if they are to trouble Arsenal in north London.

Chelsea’s recent record against the Gunners does not inspire much confidence, and there is a growing sense that this could finally be the season when Mikel Arteta guides Arsenal to a long-awaited trip to Wembley.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea

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