Marc Cucurella will be eligible for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal because his suspension applies to the FA Cup, while Arsenal prepares for the clash with several key players returning from injury.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella will be available for the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal despite receiving a straight red card against Fulham.
The Spaniard was dismissed for a professional foul on Harry Wilson, but his one-match ban will be served during Chelsea’s FA Cup tie against Charlton Athletic.
The Premier League match centre confirmed the VAR decision, noting it was a “holding offence that did not continue into the penalty area.”
While Cucurella returns, new head coach Liam Rosenior will be without Moises Caicedo, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
This adds to Chelsea’s disciplinary woes following the recent dismissal of Enzo Maresca. Despite the chaos, interim coach Stuart MacFarlane secured a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Cucurella joins a growing list of eight Chelsea players who have seen red this season, including Robert Sanchez and Malo Gusto.
Arsenal’s injury concerns are easing ahead of their upcoming fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea.
Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Kai Havertz is nearing a return after being sidelined since August. Arteta stated, “We are monitoring, obviously his load… he’s very close, he trained this morning again and hopefully we’re going to have him available.”
Defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are also approaching the final stages of their rehabilitation.