Carabao Cup: Semi Finals Second Leg Preview

A place in the final at Wembley is at stake this week, with some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League going head-to-head in the second leg of the semi-final ties in this season’s Carabao Cup.

We are nearing the conclusion of this season’s Carabao Cup, with the 2025/26 iteration of this historic domestic cup competition now at the semi-final stage. Following the first leg of these ties back in January, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United will all be looking to secure their place in the final at Wembley, which is scheduled for 22nd March 2026.

We are taking a look back at what happened in the first leg of both semi-final ties, starting with Arsenal and their London rivals, Chelsea, who met at Stamford Bridge in West London. In the end, it was the Gunners who emerged victorious, giving themselves an advantage. In the first leg, Mikel Arteta’s side were able to come away as 3 – 2 winners in what was an enthralling and competitive game.

Ben White gave the away side an early lead when he headed home from a corner that was whipped in by midfielder Declan Rice within the first ten minutes of the contest (7’). Arsenal then doubled their advantage when a mistake from Blues Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Viktor Gyokeres the time and space to find the back of the net from close range just moments after the half-time break (49’).

The hosts then managed to halve the deficit when Blues forward Alejandro Garnacho scored with a low, fierce shot that went through the legs of Gunners ‘keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga’s legs less than ten minutes after their opponent’s second goal. Liam Rosenior’s side were now one goal away from a crucial equaliser (57’).

Unfortunately for Chelsea, and to the delight of Arsenal fans everywhere, their two-goal advantage was promptly restored when Spanish international midfielder Martin Zubimendi was able to create some space for himself before firing the ball into the back of the net after Gyokeres managed to find his teammate with a pass in the penalty area (70’).

However, the last goal of the game came the way of Chelsea through Garnacho, who got his brace when his clinical finish following a corner halved his side’s deficit once again to make it 3 – 2, which is how it ended (82’).

All eyes are now on what promises to be an enthralling and competitive second leg, with both Chelsea and Arsenal both feeling that they have a great chance of getting the better of their local rival and booking a place in the 2026 Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.

The place in the final is up for grabs for both sides, with there being just a single goal to split the two local rivals. Arsenal will see themselves as favourites with their home advantage for this second leg, as well as, of course, leading on aggregate at the moment.

Liam Rosenior’s Blues have been on a very good run of form themselves and will think that they do have a chance of getting the better of the Gunners and booking a place at Wembley.

This second leg semi-final tie between the Gunners and the Blues will be played in North London at the Emirates Stadium on the evening of Tuesday, 3rd February. Kick-off will take place at 8pm.

Now we are going to move on to the other semi-final tie, which is, of course, taking place between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.

The first leg between City and the Magpies took place at St. James’ Park in the North East, where Guardiola’s Cityzens were able to come away from the game with a deserved 2 – 0 away triumph in what was an enthralling and competitive game.

After a goalless first forty-five minutes, it was not until early in the second half that the breakthrough was found in this game. Pep’s City took the lead thanks to January signing Antoine Semenyo, with the former Bournemouth and Bristol City forward scoring from close range after receiving the ball from Bernardo Silva. This followed an initial ball into the box from fellow forward Jeremy Doku (53’).

Semenyo then thought that he had scored his and his club’s second goal of the game a short time later, but it was ruled out in controversial fashion by VAR after a long check for offside (68’).

This clearly didn’t concern City too much, as the away side were able to score their second goal of the game eventually. They finally doubled their advantage over Newcastle deep into second-half stoppage time when Rayan Cherki scored thanks to a superb close-range finish after a ball came to him from Rayan Ait-Nouri (90+8’).

The second and final leg of this 2025/26 Carabao Cup Semi-Final tie will be played at the Etihad Stadium on the evening of Wednesday, 4th February 2026, with the kick-off set for 8pm.

All eyes will be on the final leg ahead of Wembley, with City looking to finish the job against the current holders of the Carabao Cup, Newcastle United. Guardiola’s side will be boosted by having home advantage.

Eddie Howe’s Magpies are likely to still provide a challenging game for the Cityzens, but the hosts will be expected to realise their ambition to seal a place in the final at Wembley in March.

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