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Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea as Havertz and Gyokeres face-off, Martinelli picked over Trossard
Arsenal line-up vs Chelsea as Havertz and Gyokeres face-off, Martinelli picked over Trossard
football.london’s Arsenal writers discuss who they would start for the Gunners against Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz have created a selection headache for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal take on Chelsea, looking to secure an important first leg result in the semi-final of the League Cup. Liam Rosenior’s first big test since taking over as Blues boss arrives with Mikel Arteta hoping to continue the Gunners’ fine record in west London.
This is a competition Arsenal have not won since 1993 and have only ever lifted twice. While it could prove to be a springboard in their hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
Arteta has some injury concerns going into the game which could force some interesting team selections. He needs to get the line-up right for this first leg as football.london’s writers give their views on who should
Some big decisions lie ahead, and if Kai Havertz is fit enough to start, I would love to see the German head into the team from the off, with Viktor Gyokeres being a late-game impact player to stretch a more tired Chelsea back line.
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Jurrien Timber for me comes in at left-back. I am struggling to trust the output and form of Myles Lewis-Skelly at the moment and against Cole Palmer or Pedro Neto, it is a position he might suffer in, so Ben White comes in at right-back.
I have picked the fully-rested Leandro Trossard despite Gabriel Martinelli’s goalscoring delights on the south coast. I think I’d pick the Brazilian at Nottingham Forest at the weekend to stretch the East Midlands club.
The rest of the team effectively picks itself and it is glorious to have both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes fit to face a Chelsea side so fortunate not to have to come up against them late last year.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Chelsea – Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
I think we’ll see Arsenal go strong for this match – even if the Premier League is their
Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack on Sunday at Portsmouth, and he’ll also be mindful that Arsenal lost last season’s Carabao Cup semi-final in the first leg when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle.
That deficit was too hard to recover at St James’ Park, and it’s crucial Arsenal take a decent result back to the Emirates Stadium for the return fixture.
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal for the second successive match. The back four consists of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber (left-back). In midfield, Martin Zubimendi starts with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Then, Gabriel Martinelli keeps his place on the left after his Pompey hat-trick, while there, Viktor Gyokeres should return as the No.9. On the right, Bukayo Saka should come back in for Noni Madueke after being rested at Fratton Park.
I think it’s important Martinelli is handed the chance to build some momentum.
Taylor’s Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stands.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stLiverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 18:05, UK
Second Half: Liverpool 1-0 Man City – live on Sky
Szoboszlai scores OUTRAGEOUS free-kick! View post
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Ekitike missed huge chance as Liverpool came to life View post | Teams
Live Premier Leagueands.
Liverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 16:30, UK
First Half: Liverpool 0-0 Man City – live on Sky
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Liverpool FC team news vs. Man City: 6 defenders unavailable for Arne Slot
Liverpool have six defenders unavailable for their game against Man City, with Arne Slot‘s hand forced at centre-back and right-back.
Liverpool are down to their bare bones at the back, with six defenders unable to start as the Reds try to keep pace with their top-four competitors in the Premier League.
Liverpool Injury & Absentee List
PlayerInjury TypeStatusExpected ReturnJoe GomezKneeDoubtMan City (H)Jeremie FrimpongGroinUnavailableEarly MarchConor BradleyKnee (Surgery)UnavailablePre-season 2026Giovanni LeoniACL (Surgery)UnavailableNext seasonAlexander IsakFibula FractureUnavailableLate MarchStefan BajceticHamstringRehabLate FebruaryJayden DannsHamstringRehabFebruaryWellity LuckyHamstringUnavailableApril
Joe Gomez‘s fitness is the main talking point ahead of the match at Anfield, given his presence would provide cover at centre-back and full-back.
He didn’t train on Thursday, though, and Slot explained: “We have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday.
“So not available to start, but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment.”
With Giovanni Leoni out until next season, academy defenders Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky have made the bench in the Premier League a combined five times this season.
The latter is injured, however, so unable to come in against Man City.
Nallo got injured during Tuesday’s UEFA Youth League exit to MSK Zilina, but was named to start for the U21s on Saturday, meaning he will not be available at Anfield.
As for Lucky’s injury, the 20-year-old is set to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury sustained in training midway through January.
Also on Liverpool’s list of absentees is right-back Conor Bradley, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Like Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is currently injured but his outlook is more positive than his teammate’s.
Slot gave a brief update on the flying Dutchman’s fitness, saying he “will definitely not train this week” due to his ongoing groin problem.
With Nallo featuring at academy level, Liverpool will be without six defensive options against Man City.
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Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Man City: Szoboszlai right-back, no start for Jones
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Man City
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Chiesa
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