Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
Arsenal host Chelsea in the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) semifinal second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, nursing a slender 3-2 advantage from the first leg at Stamford Bridge where Ben White, Viktor Gyökeres, and Martín Zubimendi struck for Mikel Arteta’s men against Alejandro Garnacho’s brace, as both Premier League giants battle for a Wembley final berth—Arsenal’s first since 2017/18.
Kick-off is set for 8:00 PM GMT (1:30 AM IST Wednesday, 3:00 PM ET), broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, FanCode in India, Paramount+ in the USA, and beIN Sports in Australia, with streaming options via Sky Go, NOW TV, and ESPN apps worldwide.
Referee Peter Bankes leads the officials with VAR James Bell, promising a high-stakes night amid Arsenal’s injury woes (Saka doubt) and Chelsea’s defensive crisis (Colwill out).
Match Essentials: Date, Time, Venue
Key Details:
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
| Kick-Off | 8:00 PM GMT (1:30 AM IST Wed, 3 PM ET) |
| Venue | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Capacity | 60,704 (sold out) |
| Weather | 8°C, partly cloudy (no rain risk) |
First leg drama: Arsenal’s late Zubimendi winner after Garnacho’s equalizer kept the tie alive.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
TV Channels And Live Streams: Global Viewing Guide
UK Viewers: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 7:00 PM; stream on Sky Go or NOW TV (Day pass £11.99).
India: FanCode app/website (₹99 match pass); Star Sports Select 1 HD select highlights.
USA: Paramount+ (Essential $7.99/month); ESPN+ live updates.
Australia: beIN Sports 1/2 from 6:00 AM AEST Wednesday.
VPN Tip: NordVPN for geo-blocks (streams Paramount+ seamlessly).
ESPN live blog and YouTube watchalongs for minute-by-minute coverage.
Referee Profile: Peter Bankes In Spotlight
Peter Bankes (Merseyside): Season stats—15 PL games, 48 yellows (3.2/game), 2 reds. Favors home sides marginally (52% fouls called).
VAR James Bell: Accurate 92% overturns; quick decisions (avg 45s review).
Past Rulings: Bankes officiated Arsenal-Chelsea PL draw Oct 2025 (3-3, no pens). Expect strict on Palmer-Saka duels.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
Arsenal Injury Crisis: Saka Doubt Looms Large
Gunners Absences:
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Max Dowman | Ankle | OUT |
| Mikel Merino | Foot | OUT |
| Bukayo Saka | Discomfort | DOUBT |
Team News: Arteta rotates—Gyökeres starts over Havertz; Rice captains midfield. Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Gyökeres, Merino (if fit), Martinelli. Subs: Neto, Jorginho.
Saka scan results Tuesday PM—winger 60% chance.
Chelsea Defensive Nightmare: Colwill ACL Blow
Blues Injury List:
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie Gittens | Muscle | DOUBT |
| Romeo Lavia | Thigh | OUT |
| Dário Essugo | Muscle | OUT |
| Tosin Adarabioyo | Thigh | OUT |
| Levi Colwill | ACL | OUT |
| Mykhailo Mudryk | Suspended | OUT |
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Sanchez; James, Fofana, Badiashile; Gusto, Caicedo, Enzo, Chilwell; Palmer, Nkunku; Jackson. Maresca gambles Gittens fitness.
Colwill season-ender reshapes backline.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
First Leg Flashback: 3-2 Arsenal Thriller
Stamford Bridge Epic (Jan 28): Chelsea led 2-1 (Garnacho double) before White equalizer (67′) and Zubimendi 89′ winner. xG: Arsenal 1.8-1.6 edge.
Key Stats: Arsenal 14 shots (6 on target); Chelsea 55% possession. Arteta unbeaten vs Blues in 14 (8W,4D,2L).
Tactical Battle: Arteta Vs Maresca Chess
Arsenal Attack: Odegaard-Rice engine (combined 12 chances created leg 1). Gyökeres aerial threat (2.1m jumps).
Chelsea Counter: Palmer wizardry (8 goals/6 assists 2026). Jackson hold-up vs Saliba duel.
Set-Piece Edge: Arsenal 28% goals from dead balls. Chelsea vulnerable (Colwill out).
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
Predicted Lineups And Formations
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Raya
White Saliba Kiwior Zinchenko
Rice Zubimendi Odegaard
Gyökeres Martinelli (Saka?)
Chelsea (3-4-2-1):
Sanchez
James Fofana Badiashile
Gusto Caicedo Enzo Chilwell
Palmer Nkunku
Jackson
Head-To-Head History: Arsenal Edge
Recent Form: Arsenal 6W-3D vs Chelsea last 9. EFL Cup: Gunners 4-1 aggregate wins prior semis.
2026 PL: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea (Emirates).
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
Wembley Stakes: Final Opponent Preview
Other Semi: Liverpool vs Newcastle (Anfield leg 2, 2-2 agg). Arsenal-Chelsea winners face Reds/Mags March 1.
Arsenal’s first final since 2018 loss to City.
Betting Odds And Predictions
Match Odds: Arsenal 1.75, Draw 3.80, Chelsea 4.20.
Aggregate: Arsenal 65% advance. BTTS Yes 1.65.
SBKI Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 (4-3 agg)—Gyökeres scores.
Player Focus: Battlegrounds
Odegaard vs Enzo: Creative duel (Ode 12 assists vs Enzo 8).
Rice vs Caicedo: Midfield monsters (tackles won 78% combined).
Palmer vs Saliba: Dribble king vs shutdown CB.
Arsenal Vs Chelsea EFL Cup Semifinal/sbkinews.in
Emirates Atmosphere: 60k Roar
Record Attendance: EFL semis sellouts since 2023. Chants: “North London forever.”
Post-Match Ramifications: PL Title Race
Arsenal 2nd PL (58pts), Chelsea 6th (44pts). Wembley glory boosts top-four push.
Global Viewership: 50M Eyes
India FanCode peaks; USA Paramount+ surge.
Emirates erupts—Arsenal Wembley bound?
