Overview
- Arsenal and Chelsea open their two-leg semifinal on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge, with the return set for February 3 at the Emirates and a Wembley final place on the line.
- Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior said his staff have studied “every aspect” of Arsenal’s game, highlighting their proficiency from set plays.
- Rosenior began with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton, though Chelsea enter the tie with just one victory in their last nine Premier League matches.
- Chelsea are assessing the fitness of Reece James, Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto, while long-term absentees Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill remain out.
- Arsenal arrive with injuries eased and are expected to recall key starters such as David Raya, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and William Saliba.