Mikel Arteta Wants to Kick Chelsea Out of the Carabao Cup

JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta said his mission is to knock Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup and deliver Arsenal's first major trophy in almost six years after a painful semi-final exit last season.

Arteta is likely to lose four defenders for the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera are confirmed absentees, while there is great doubt about the fitness of William Saliba.

Arsenal failed to advance to last year's Carabao Cup final after losing 0-4 on aggregate to Newcastle United.

They were also knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals and failed to win the league title. Arteta's only trophy as Arsenal manager was the 2020 FA Cup.

However, they entered the first leg still fighting for the four trophies available this season. The Gunners are at the top of the English League and Champions League standings, and have qualified for the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after winning 4-1 over Portsmouth on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

"Football gives you another chance. We have been very consistent again in this tournament. Now we have to get rid of another big team to be in the final. That's the mission."

"Hopefully we have learned from last year because it was painful, especially in the way the game went and the number of chances we missed to qualify."

"So, this year we want to be better and more efficient. When you reach this stage in a tournament, you reach the final, and you manage to get through it and win it, it brings a different energy."

"It brings confidence and a feeling that the goal is very, very close, and that's a big motivation for everyone," Arteta said.

The absence of Calafiori, Hincapie, Mosquera, and possibly Saliba could force Arteta to play an emergency backline at Stamford Bridge. Christian Norgaard is ready to play alongside Gabriel in the center back position.

Leandro Trossard, who has scored seven goals this season, is another player who may not be fit enough to play.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine games, but they will face an energised Chelsea with new manager Liam Rosenior in charge.

Rosenior led a 5-1 FA Cup victory against Charlton Athletic in his first game as a coach. However, the test will be his first in front of Chelsea supporters.

"I know people have worked with him. I know people who are close to him in his journey, especially as a coach."

"They really praised him. So, I wish him the best, except for tomorrow's game," Arteta said about Rosenior's presence at Chelsea.