Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal

The EFL Cup semi-final round two comes around with Arsenal in a commanding 3-2 lead ahead of this clash at the Emirates. This will contain the latest Chelsea team news and a potential predicted lineup based on who is available and who has played in the most recent outings after a hectic run of matches that has seen them go from Pafos to Italy and to harsh Premier League matches in between.

Chelsea Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal in Carabao Cup Tie

How Chelsea Have Lined Up Recently

Rob Sanchez has been the goalkeeping option with his main replacement suffering an injury in the Champions League. The back line has seen Malo Gusto, Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile. Wes Fofana, Jorrel Hato, and Marc Cucurella all start due to rotation.

James can move into midfield where Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos are the main pivot. Enzo Fernandez can also drop back into this pairing when needed. Enzo has made the attacking midfield role his own when Cole Palmer is moved out wide or left out due to injury. Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, and Estevao are the other wing options.

Liam Delap started as the striker in the last match but has been rotating with an in-form Joao Pedro, who can play either as the number nine or a bit further back as the number ten.

Chelsea Recent Form & Tactics

Liam Rosenior has usually kept the 4-2-3-1 used by the previous manager with one adjustment to a 3-4-2-1 against Napoli. The main idea is to control possession by building up from the back and baiting the press of the opposition. There are some changes like the use of full-backs in more dynamic ways to aid the attack while also providing more license for the wingers to be direct when they get the ball.

The Blues’ only defeat since changing managers has been to the Gunners in the first leg of this cup tie. They’ve been able to carve out come-from-behind 3-2 wins over Napoli and West Ham on top of some more dominant wins. The lack of defensive stability is concerning with only two clean sheets in their recent run and a number of matches where they’ve let in at least two goals. Their attacking power has seen them grit out wins but they’ll need to get some steel in the back line if they want to make a real run in any competition.

Chelsea Team News

The manager could be without as many as seven players for this one. PremierInjuries has Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia, Estevao, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Gittens listed as unavailable. Some are with injuries but Estevao has suddenly been absent due to an unspecified personal issue.

With so many matches in quick succession, there are some players who may need to be managed like Palmer who is working back from injury and played the entire 90 against the Irons. Gusto could also be left out or benches as he’s played the last two in the intensive right-back/wing back spot.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup

GK – Rob Sanchez

LB – Marc Cucurella

CB – Wes Fofana

CB – Trevoh Chalobah

RB – Reece James

DM – Andrey Santos

DM – Moises Caicedo

AM – Enzo Fernandez

W – Pedro Neto

W – Alejandro Garnacho

ST – Joao Pedro