Overview
- The tie concludes at the Emirates on Tuesday at 8pm UK, with the winner set to meet Manchester City or Newcastle in the final as City carry a 2-0 first-leg lead.
- Mikel Arteta confirmed Mikel Merino requires foot surgery and said Arsenal would assess late transfer-window options to cover the loss.
- Bukayo Saka is being monitored after a warm-up issue at Leeds that Arteta described as a minor niggle, leaving his availability uncertain.
- Chelsea have surged under Liam Rosenior with comeback wins over Napoli and West Ham, and the head coach labeled Arsenal the favourites while targeting a strong second half to turn the tie.
- Pre-match reporting points to possible Arsenal rotation, including potential starts for Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, and the cup goalkeeper choice—Kepa has featured in domestic cups—remains a talking point.