Saliba, Trossard Doubtful as Arsenal Face Chelsea in Carabao Cup Semi-Final

Arsenal could be without key players William Saliba and Leandro Trossard when they face Chelsea in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final, manager Mikel Arteta has revealed.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Arteta admitted there are concerns over the fitness of both players ahead of the crucial encounter. Saliba and Trossard were notably absent from the matchday squad during Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round victory over Portsmouth last Sunday, raising questions about their availability for the midweek clash.

The injury worries do not end there for the Gunners. Defender Riccardo Calafiori remains sidelined after picking up an unspecified injury on December 27, just before Arsenal’s league fixture against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta confirmed the Italian is making progress but stopped short of setting a clear return date.

“He’s progressing, but we don’t know,” Arteta said. “A few weeks, probably, but we don’t know exactly yet.”

Opinion & Perspective

For Arsenal, this is far from ideal timing. A Carabao Cup semi-final against a rejuvenated Chelsea demands defensive stability and attacking sharpness—two areas where Saliba and Trossard are hugely influential. Saliba’s absence, in particular, could test Arsenal’s backline against Chelsea’s pace and direct play, while Trossard’s versatility and experience often provide Arteta with tactical flexibility in big games.

However, this could also be a moment for squad depth to shine. Arteta has built a team that prides itself on collective effort, and such high-pressure fixtures often reveal the character of a title-chasing squad. If Arsenal can navigate these injury concerns and still deliver a strong performance, it will further underline their growth under Arteta.

As kickoff approaches, fans will be hoping for positive late fitness updates—but regardless of who starts, the semi-final promises intensity, drama, and another defining night in Arsenal’s season.