The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening is set to be heavily impacted by a significant injury crisis affecting both squads. Managers Liam Rosenior and Mikel Arteta face major selection headaches as they aim to secure an advantage in the quest for the season's first domestic trophy.
Arsenal's Defensive Worries Mount
Despite their strong Premier League form, Arsenal travel to west London with a lengthy absentee list, particularly in defence. William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are both considered doubts after missing the weekend's FA Cup victory over Portsmouth.
The situation is more severe for several other Gunners. Defender Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be out for a "matter of weeks" after getting injured in the warm-up before the Brighton match. He is joined on the sidelines by Piero Hincapie (thigh), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), and Max Dowman, whose issue is described as similar to Mosquera's.
Chelsea's Key Players Race Against Time
For Chelsea, new manager Liam Rosenior's early tenure is being tested. While he began with a 5-1 FA Cup win over Charlton, his preparations for the Arsenal clash are far from ideal. The availability of several star players hangs in the balance.
Cole Palmer, the team's influential playmaker, is touch and go for the match. Rosenior confirmed he would make a late decision on Palmer, along with full-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto, after giving them extra recovery time.
The Blues' long-term absentees remain a concern. Levi Colwill is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season with an ACL injury. Romeo Lavia is still out with a hamstring problem, and Mykhaylo Mudryk is unavailable due to a provisional FA suspension following a failed drugs test in December 2024. Midfielder Dario Essugo has returned to training from a thigh injury but is not yet considered fully fit.
Implications for the Semi-Final Showdown
This extensive list of potential absentees, covering 13 players across both squads, is certain to influence the tactical approach of both managers. The depth of each team will be severely tested in what promises to be a fiercely contested derby encounter.
Arteta must find solutions to patch up a depleted defence, while Rosenior faces anxious waits on the fitness of Palmer, James, and Gusto, whose creativity and experience could be vital. The outcome of this first leg at Stamford Bridge may well be decided by which side best copes with the personnel shortages forced upon them.
