In the Carabao Cup semi-final held in England, Arsenal faced Chelsea in a highly anticipated clash on February 3, 2026. Arsenal came into the second leg of the semi-final with a slight advantage, having won the first match at Stamford Bridge 3-2. The Gunners, led by manager Mikel Arteta, aimed to maintain their lead and secure a spot in the final of the competition. This match took place at the Emirates Stadium in London, where Arsenal has enjoyed a strong home record. However, they recently suffered their first defeat at home this season against Manchester United just nine days earlier. Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, sought to overturn the deficit from the first leg and showed resilience in their recent matches. They had been behind in their last game against West Ham but managed to come back and win 3-2, demonstrating their ability to fight back regardless of their challenging circumstances. Both teams came into this match with a mix of confidence and trepidation, as Arsenal aimed for their first trophy of the season and Chelsea aimed to stop their opponents from achieving that. Form-wise, Arsenal was without Mikel Merino, who was ruled out for the season, and Bukayo Saka was a doubt due to a groin injury. Despite these setbacks, Arsenal had recently bounced back from previous disappointments, notably their dismantling of Leeds in their previous fixture, which re-energized their bid for silverware, including aspirations for the quadruple. Chelsea's lineup was expected to include Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella, both of whom had a significant impact off the bench in their last outing. Chelsea has historically been strong in this competition, reaching the finals 10 times and winning it five, with their last victory coming in 2015. They were determined to prove their mettle against their London rivals, particularly with the memory of their last defeat in this competition at the Emirates still fresh. As the match kicked off at 8 PM, anticipation filled the air, with fans on both sides hopeful for their team's success in this crucial fixture. Arsenal aimed to capitalize on their home advantage, recognizing the importance of this match not just for a trophy but also for their momentum in the league, where they were leading at the top. For Chelsea, it was a chance to demonstrate their resilience and clinch a place in the final, thereby enhancing their aspirations for the remainder of the season.