Arsenal
- Arsenal hold a 3 - 2 aggregate lead from their EFL Cup 2025 - 2026 semi-final first leg win at Stamford Bridge and are in the driver's seat to take their place in the Wembley final.
- Mikel Arteta’s side, who have combined patient possession football, coordinated pressing and clinical finishing from set-pieces and wide areas to dominate English soccer this season, are deserved favourites at 1.66 to take down Chelsea at the Emirates with the Blues still listed at 4.75 to get the better of their main London rivals.
- Arsenal, who are chasing silverware in three competitions after a Champions League win at Inter Milan and an FA Cup rout, come into this after a disappointing 1 - 0 home defeat to Man United in the league and a goalless draw at Forest.
Chelsea
- Liam Rosenior’s new team have been in good form since he took the reins in January 2026, winning three straight in all competitions, including an incredible 3 - 2 away victory at Napoli and a 3 - 1 league success over Crystal Palace at the weekend.
- The Blues are pressing high, playing through the middle with overloads and fast attacking transitions, but are still vulnerable to the counter-attack.
- Chelsea have scored in three straight games and can contribute to an end-to-end affair.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have dominated Chelsea in all competitions in recent years, winning three and drawing two of the last five, including a 5 - 0 thumping in April 2024.
Key Players
- Gabriel Martinelli is on fire for the hosts, scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup and providing their most electric presence in wide areas.
- João Pedro scored twice at Napoli and appears to have found his position in Rosenior’s system, making him the focal point of the Chelsea attack.
- Estevão and Cole Palmer, if the latter is fit, will add creativity and penetration with their running from midfield.
- Arsenal will be looking to Viktor Gyökeres, who has scored crucial goals in Europe and the cups.
- Leandro Trossard’s set-piece quality and Ben White’s aerial ability have been crucial to Arsenal’s success, especially in the close games.
Betting Insights
- That suggests the Gunners are not infallible on home turf and Chelsea’s new manager bounce is just as good as their own right now, so we think the draw at 3.85 has merit here.
- We like the Both Teams To Score bet at 1.7 here with the Emirates ready to rock for this semi-final encounter with rain forecast.
Prediction
- Chelsea are on a three-match winning streak, but Arsenal will have the best chances to win this contest on a 3 - 2 aggregate and with home advantage.
- Arsenal are likely to reach the final, but Chelsea have scored in three straight games and can contribute to an end-to-end affair.
