Chelsea vs Arsenal will be played in the Semi Finals 1st Round of the EFL Cup, with kick-off scheduled for 01:30 AM on Thursday, 15 January 2026. The match takes place at Stamford Bridge, London, a historic venue that always delivers intensity when these two rivals meet.
Weather conditions are expected to be cold, around 5°C, with a grass surface in good condition. With this being the first leg of a two-match semi-final, both managers are expected to approach the game cautiously, prioritizing structure and discipline over all-out attack.
Arsenal enter the match as slight favorites, having gone nine games unbeaten against Chelsea (6 wins, 3 draws). However, cup semi-finals often defy form, and Chelsea’s home advantage could play a decisive role.
Match Overview – Chelsea vs Arsenal
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Chelsea vs Arsenal |
| Competition | EFL Cup |
| Stage | Semi Finals – 1st Round |
| Date & Kick-Off | Thursday, 15 January 2026 – 01:30 AM |
| Venue | Stamford Bridge |
| Location | London, England |
| Capacity | 41,841 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 5°C – Cold |
Chelsea are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1, focusing on transitions and individual creativity from wide areas. Arsenal, likely using a 4-3-3, will aim to dominate possession and apply sustained pressure through structured build-up play.
Recent Form Guide – Chelsea vs Arsenal
Chelsea – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 10/01 | Win vs Charlton Athletic (5–1) |
| 07/01 | Loss vs Fulham (1–2) |
| 04/01 | Draw vs Manchester City (1–1) |
| 30/12 | Draw vs Bournemouth (2–2) |
| 27/12 | Loss vs Aston Villa (1–2) |
Arsenal – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| 11/01 | Win vs Portsmouth (4–1) |
| 08/01 | Draw vs Liverpool (0–0) |
| 03/01 | Win vs Bournemouth (3–2) |
| 30/12 | Win vs Aston Villa (4–1) |
| 27/12 | Win vs Brighton (2–1) |
Head-to-Head – Chelsea vs Arsenal (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Nov 2025 | Premier League | Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal |
| 16 Mar 2025 | Premier League | Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea |
| 10 Nov 2024 | Premier League | Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal |
| 24 Apr 2024 | Premier League | Arsenal 5–0 Chelsea |
| 21 Oct 2023 | Premier League | Chelsea 2–2 Arsenal |
Key Trends:
- Arsenal are unbeaten in the last nine meetings with Chelsea
- Four of the last five encounters ended in draws or narrow margins
- Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal since 2023
Top Scorers
- Chelsea: Tyrique George – 2 goals, 1 assist (3 matches)
- Arsenal: Leandro Trossard – 1 goal (3 matches)
Neither side relies on a single prolific scorer, making midfield contributions and set pieces especially important.
Predicted Lineups – Chelsea vs Arsenal
| Position | Chelsea (4-2-3-1) | Arsenal (4-3-3) |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jörgensen | Arrizabalaga |
| Right Back | Tosin | Ben White |
| Centre Back | Badiashile | Gabriel |
| Centre Back | Acheampong | Lewis-Skelly |
| Left Back | Hato | Nørgaard |
| Defensive Midfield | Moisés Caicedo | Merino |
| Central Midfield | Andrey Santos | Eberechi Eze |
| Central Midfield | — | Martin Ødegaard |
| Right Wing | Madueke | Nwaneri |
| Attacking Midfield | Buonanotte | — |
| Left Wing | Gittens | Martinelli |
| Striker | Guiu | Gabriel Jesus |
Final lineups will be confirmed one hour before kick-off.
Statistical Projection – Chelsea vs Arsenal
| Metric | Chelsea | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Win Probability | 28% | 42% |
| Draw Probability | 30% | – |
| Possession | 45–48% | 52–55% |
| Shots on Target | 3–5 | 5–7 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.9–1.2 | 1.3–1.6 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 18% | 25% |
| Most Likely Scorer | Tyrique George | Gabriel Jesus |
✅ Final Score Prediction
Chelsea 1–2 Arsenal
Likely Scorers:
- Chelsea: Tyrique George
- Arsenal: Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli
Arsenal’s superior consistency, tactical cohesion, and recent dominance in this fixture give them a narrow but justified advantage in the first leg.
Confidence Levels
- Arsenal Win: 42%
- Draw: 30%
- Chelsea Win: 28%
Read More:-
Suggested Tips (Informational Only)
- Full-Time Result: Arsenal Win
- Both Teams to Score: Yes
- Over 1.5 Total Goals
- Anytime Scorer: Gabriel Jesus
⚠️ All predictions are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Chelsea vs Arsenal
1.What time is Chelsea vs Arsenal?
Kick-off is at 01:30 AM on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
2.Where will the match be played?
At Stamford Bridge, London, England.
3.What is the predicted score for Chelsea vs Arsenal?
A 2–1 away win for Arsenal is the most likely outcome.
4.Who are the key players to watch?
Tyrique George for Chelsea and Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal.
5.Is this a two-leg semi-final?
Yes, this is the first round (first leg) of the EFL Cup semi-final.