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.
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.
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.
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.