Key Chelsea starter suspended for semi-final vs Arsenal or Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Arsenal have drawn Chelsea in their potential League Cup semi-final, if they can beat Crystal Palace, but Moises Caicedo will be unavailable for the first leg regardless of the opponent.

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Though Arsenal won’t play their League Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace until next week, the draw for the semi-final has already been completed, with the winner of the Gunners’ quarter-final due to face Chelsea in early 2026.

The two-legged semi-final tie will begin with a game at Stamford Bridge on January 13th-14th, followed by a second leg at either the Emirates Stadium or Selhurst Park on February 3rd-4th.

But regardless of whether Arsenal or Crystal Palace progress, Moises Caicedo will be suspended for the Stamford Bridge first leg.

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Caicedo received a booking against Cardiff City for sarcastically applauding a refereeing decision, having also received a yellow in his previous League Cup game against Wolves.

Two yellows in the League Cup means a one-game ban, and the yellows are only wiped after the quarter-finals. A second yellow in the quarter-finals does result in a suspension.

After missing the first leg, Caicedo will then return to be available for the second leg away from home.

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The good news for Arsenal is that they won’t have any yellow-card bans of their own, as they haven’t received a single booking in the League Cup so far.

If the Gunners make the semis, the only way they can be missing a player through suspension is if that player picks up a red card in the Premier League during one of the games leading up to the semi-final match. A red card vs Palace would be served in the Premier League.