Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Chelsea, Saka & Gyokeres start

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January 14, 2026 16:34 GMT (UK), by Sri Aswin

Arsenal take on Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge tonight.

The Gunners are winless in the last three away trips to the Blues and will aim to end the streak.

Manager Mikel Arteta could make six changes to the starting XI for the London derby.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Kepa Arrizabalaga has been the Cup goalkeeper for the Gunners this term, and looks set to continue between the sticks against his former employers.

The backline could witness one change from the 4-1 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round. Jurrien Timber could slot alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, while Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly are poised to continue in the full-back positions.

Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are injured, while William Saliba is likewise doubtful. In midfield, Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze are expected to drop to the bench.

Martin Zubimendi should be a nailed-on starter in the number six role with Declan Rice in the central midfield slot. Martin Odegaard is expected to line up as the attacking midfielder for the London giants.

In the final third, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus are set to make way for Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres in the right wing and number nine positions.

Leandro Trossard is nursing a minor injury. Regardless of this, Gabriel Martinelli should start on the left wing on the back of scoring his maiden hat-trick.

Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; White, Timber, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Martinell; Gyokeres.