Predicted Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Arsenal, James starts

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February 3, 2026 19:19 GMT (UK), by Sri Aswin

Chelsea take on Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

The Blues are trailing 3-2 after the first leg at Stamford Bridge and will be aiming to turnaround the tie to make the final.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Robert Sanchez is an undisputed starter for the Blues for the Premier League and Champions League games. He may start tonight too with Filip Jorgensen nursing an injury.

Blues manager Liam Rosenior is expected to pick his best defence for the encounter. It could be Reece James and Marc Cucurella in the full-back roles with Wesley Fofana partnering Trevoh Chalobah in central defence.

In the centre of the park, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are poised to start, while Cole Palmer is a strong candidate to feature as the number 10.

In the final third, Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho may slot on the right and left wing, while Joao Pedro could lead the line for the London side.

Estevao recently travelled to Brazil for personal reasons, and may not be available. Jamie Gittens has already been ruled out with a hamstring issue.

Predicted Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Arsenal: Sanchez; James, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro.