Arsenal vs Chelsea – Free Football Prediction and Picks – EFL Cup – February 3, 2026

Arsenal – Chelsea: a place in the final up for grabs

Tuesday night, the Emirates won’t feel like a damp London winter. It’ll roar. A spot in the League Cup final, a charged derby, and a slim lead for Arsenal to protect. The scene is set. After a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, the Gunners have a cushion — not a comforter. Across from them stands a pumped Chelsea, riding a wave and itching to flip the tie on its head.

Arsenal: Arteta’s machine is humming

This season from Arsenal reads like a statement. Top of the Premier League. Leading their Champions League group. Still alive in the FA Cup. Now 90 minutes from a League Cup final. Arteta has built a side that controls games, has depth, and knows what it’s doing.

Their League Cup run was tidy. Port Vale, Brighton, then a scrappy quarter against Crystal Palace. Tied 1-1 after 90, it went to penalties. Kepa Arrizabalaga — quietly decisive — got the stop they needed and Arsenal made the semis.

At Stamford Bridge the Gunners struck early. Seven minutes in they led. Viktor Gyokeres added a second right after the break. Chelsea wobble, Arsenal smell escape… then the night got messy. Alejandro Garnacho pulled Chelsea back, Martin Zubimendi restored some breathing room, Garnacho struck again. It finished 3-2. A proper thriller. And a slender edge to protect.

Chelsea: the Rosenior spark, instant and loud

The manager switch rewired everything. After Enzo Maresca left, Liam Rosenior’s appointment raised eyebrows. Give him seven games and he turned Stamford Bridge around: six wins, one loss — that loss to Arsenal. Since then it’s been breakneck.

Five wins on the spin across all competitions, a shock result in Naples to seal a top-eight European spot, and then Saturday’s movie script vs West Ham. 2-0 down at half, they flipped it to 3-2. Enzo Fernandez with the stoppage-time winner. They’ll arrive at the Emirates with swagger.

Still, a mental wall remains. Ten games without beating Arsenal. Three straight losses at this ground. That history clings.

Probable line-ups

Arsenal :
Arrizabalaga ; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie ; Zubimendi, Rice ; Madueke, Odegaard, Martinelli ; Gyokeres

Chelsea :
Sanchez ; James, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella ; Caicedo, Fernandez ; Neto, Palmer, Pedro ; Delap

Football Prediction Arsenal vs Chelsea

Arsenal to win

Chelsea come in buzzing. Arsenal move with the icy focus of a team that knows its targets. At the Emirates the Gunners rarely get surprised. In a match this charged, that matters. The Blues will shove forward. Arsenal will wait — and hit when the moment’s right.

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