Arsenal v Chelsea, who wants it more…..

Morning all.

The winter transfer window was quiet for Arsenal which was unsurprising after last summer. The academy snapped up 18 year old attacking player Evan Mooney from St Mirren. Having already played in the Scottish Premier League, I doubt it will be too long before he’s involved with the first team. Certainly in the training sessions. Rumour has it that defender Jaden Dixon has also joined our academy from Stoke City. (Nothing on Arsenal.com)

League Cup semi-final second leg at home against Chelsea, yes, it’s a big one. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only fan to push this competition to one side at the beginning of the season but this is why Arsenal invested heavily in the summer. Having a squad deep and strong enough allowed Mikel Arteta to compete in all four competitions rather than just take part.

Rosenior is likely to field his strongest eleven, his team selection at the weekend would suggest that and I’ve a feeling Mikel Arteta will do something similar. After all, a cup final is something he and the players need.

We are a goal up going into this match but I hope we approach it like we are 1-0 down.

Rosenior was without Cole Palmer, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and the suspended Moises Caicedo in the first leg. All bar Gittens are available tonight. Not what any Arsenal fan wants to hear I’m sure.

We know Mikel Merino is ruled out for the foreseeable and it seems Bukayo Saka won’t be fit enough for tonight although he could be back at the weekend. In typical Mikel Arteta form, he was vague.

Could Myles Lewis-Skelly step into midfield now Merino is ruled out?

MA – Yes, Myles has the qualities to play in different positions. He has played as a full-back, as a six or as an attacking midfielder even. So yes, that is an option that we have in his squad.

Why has he not been used in midfield more so far:

MA – Because I believed that he had the best chance to break into the first team playing in that position [left back] because I think he has unique qualities that we didn’t have in the squad to accommodate that and to give him the chance to play for us.

I think it’s going to be a feisty old battle again tonight with Caicedo at the heart of it. He’s big, strong and very physical, often too physical. Delap too can get stuck in a bit too much but as I often write, we cannot react however Chelsea behave. Let the officials take control of them should they need to.

The officials for tonight are:
Referee – Peter Bankes
Assistants – Edward Smart and Blake Antrobus
Fourth Official – Thomas Bramall
VAR  – James Bell
Assistant VAR : Daniel Robathan

Writing in our matchday programme, Adrian Clarke said:

Liam Rosenior likes a 4-2-3-1 shape that is set up to utilise Chelsea’s pace and dynamism on the wings.  

You will often see the Blues playing risky passes out from the back or in midfield, trying to break the lines, and from those positions, his side regularly looks to raid down the flanks, where Estevao, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho or Jamie Gittens are all encouraged to run at full-backs.  

The new head coach has proven himself to be adaptable from a tactical perspective in his previous roles, so nothing is set in stone. What we do know, is that ideally, he wants his teams to be aggressive, attack-minded, and controlled in possession.  

Tonight’s opponents create lots of chances, with their expected goals tally around the same as ours so far in Premier League action. They also finish very well, boasting the fourth best conversion rate in top-flight football during 2025/26.  

When it comes to tucking away ‘big chances’ they are even more efficient, ranking second, with a success rate just shy of 50 per cent. Set pieces are also a core strength for the west Londoners, who scored from corners in each of our previous two meetings this season. Reece James’ near post deliveries have a lot of quality.   

Rosenior has a great group of players, I think we’d all agree on that and under his management, he’s lost one fixture and that was against us in the first leg of this semi-final. Personally, I think it’s going to be a tough tough match for both sides tonight. 

The Emirates faithful have been brilliant for a while now and the players will need them again tonight. An early Arsenal goal would certainly help raise their voices. As would a top notch performance from the first whistle. Don’t give Chelsea a chance to settle into any kind of rhythm and of course, be prolific in front of goal. Oh, and no faffing around at the back or sloppy passes.

There’s a good chance Madueke will be up against the ghastly Cucurella which could be an interesting battle if our winger is on form.

Wembley awaits the winners and all we can ask for is a performance which shows it’s the team in red and white who want to be there the most.

Catch up in the comments.