Arsenal face fresh fitness concerns ahead of their Carabao Cup semi‑final first‑leg clash with Chelsea after head coach Mikel Arteta revealed that key players Leandro Trossard and William Saliba are doubtful for the crucial tie at Stamford Bridge.
The pair’s uncertain availability adds to an already stretched squad as the Gunners prepare to challenge for domestic cup honours in a demanding mid‑season schedule.
Arsenal booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi‑final with a dramatic penalty shoot‑out win over Crystal Palace in December 2025, setting up a high‑profile clash against London rivals Chelsea.
The semi‑final first leg marks a key moment in a congested fixture list that also features Premier League and FA Cup commitments. Continuity and squad fitness will be pivotal if Mikel Arteta’s side are to compete on multiple fronts this season.
The club’s injury challenges come at a sensitive phase of the campaign, with Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori already ruled out due to muscular and hamstring issues. Saliba and Trossard’s fitness status has emerged as a key talking point as Arsenal balance ambitions in cup competition and league form.
Arteta, speaking ahead of the semi‑final fixture, confirmed that both Saliba and Trossard are being assessed and that “late decisions” will be made on their involvement, indicating that neither player is a guaranteed starter.
Saliba, the French centre‑back, did not feature in the recent FA Cup win over Portsmouth, while Trossard has been managing a calf‑related knock in recent weeks. The duo’s uncertain status leaves Arsenal’s defensive and attacking options in question as they head into the first leg.
Manager Arteta is contending with a limited backline as other defenders remain sidelined or in rehabilitation phases, intensifying the selection challenge ahead of the Stamford Bridge fixture.
For Arsenal supporters and urban football audiences alike, the potential absence of Saliba and Trossard from a major Cup tie raises tactical and emotional stakes.
Saliba’s presence at the back has been central to defensive stability, while Trossard’s attacking creativity has added depth to the Gunners’ frontline. Their availability could significantly influence Arsenal’s approach to a semi‑final where margins are expected to be fine.
A weakened defensive line could force Arteta to adapt his formation or rely on emerging defenders, a scenario that will be scrutinised by pundits, fans, and fantasy football managers alike. Meanwhile, Chelsea will look to capitalise on any absences as both sides vie for a place in the Carabao Cup final.
As Arsenal prepare for their Carabao Cup semi‑final first leg with Chelsea, fitness doubts over key players Saliba and Trossard heighten drama ahead of a crucial clash.
The team’s injury situation underscores the broader challenge of balancing cup aspirations with fixture demands and squad depth. Supporters and analysts will closely monitor late fitness reports as Arteta finalises his lineup in what promises to be a fiercely contested London derby.
