Chelsea and Arsenal fans agree on one thing
“Who hates Tottenham… Chelsea” sing the home fans.
Arsenal fans, feel free to join in…
Kieran Jackson at Stamford Bridge14 January 2026 19:56
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Liam Rosenior says Chelsea have “been through the wars” in the past couple of days due to injury and illness, with Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens ruled out this afternoon and Reece James now dealing with a hip problem. Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer are also unavailable. They are up against it.
The players are in the tunnel as we approach kick-off.
Jamie Braidwood14 January 2026 19:56
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Just under 10 minutes until kick-off here at the Bridge – and the atmosphere is slowly building on a cool evening in west London. Cue the lightshow.
Thankfully, it’s not the freezing sub-zero weather we’ve seen since 2026 started!
Kieran Jackson at Stamford Bridge14 January 2026 19:53
Last time out
Mikel Merino’s second-half equaliser rescued a point for Arsenal here in the Premier League in November, even though they played the majority of the contest a man up after Moises Caicedo’s sending off.
Caicedo is also suspended for tonight’s clash.
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:50
Reece James not in the squad
James is present at Stamford Bridge, but is not fit enough to start.
He’ll be watching alongside Cole Palmer, also absent for Liam Rosenior.
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:45
Kepa in goal for the Gunners
Arsenal’s back-up option retains his spot in-between the sticks.
Arrizabalaga was the hero in the quarter-finals as the Gunners scraped through on penalties against Crystal Palace.
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:40
Arsenal’s wretched semi-final run:
Since the FA Cup victory in 2020, Mikel Arteta has lost six and drawn two of all semi-final matches he’s played:
2021, Europa League — Villarreal, 1-2 (a) first leg, 0-0 (h) second leg
2022, Carabao Cup — Liverpool, 0-0 (a), 0-2 (h)
2025, Carabao Cup — Newcastle, 0-2 (h), 0-2 (a)
Champions League — PSG, 0-1 (h), 1-2 (a)
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:35
Last time Chelsea won the League Cup?
2014-15. Mourinho, chapter two.
A 2-0 win against Tottenham in the final clinched the first trophy in Mourinho’s second tenure in west London.
They went on to win the Premier League that season.
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:27
Rosenior arrives for his Bridge bow
A big night for Chelsea’s new manager – his first match at Stamford Bridge.
Not often new managers have semi-finals for their first home match…
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 19:22
Arsenal haven’t won the League Cup in 33 years
The domestic trophy that Arsene Wenger famously never won still eludes the Gunners.
Their last League Cup triumph was against Sheffield Wednesday back in 1993.
Kieran Jackson at Stamford Bridge14 January 2026 19:17
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