Ipswich Town vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup Preview, Team News and Prediction
Arsenal’s relationship with the Carabao Cup has been remarkably unproductive for a club accustomed to collecting major honours. On Tuesday night, the reigning Premier League champions head to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town with another opportunity to address that curious gap in their trophy cabinet.
Arsenal have not lifted the League Cup since 1993, when Paul Merson and Steve Morrow scored against Sheffield Wednesday. They have subsequently lost four finals, including last season’s defeat to Manchester City.
Ipswich Town have their own history to rewrite. The Tractor Boys have never reached a Carabao Cup final, although Portman Road should provide the sort of atmosphere capable of making this third round tie uncomfortable.
Arsenal arrive with perfect record
Mikel Arteta could hardly have asked for a stronger opening to the 2026/27 campaign. Arsenal have won all six of their matches in all competitions, conceding only twice and keeping five clean sheets.
Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland continued that run, with Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka scoring after half time.
David Raya also saved a penalty from Enzo Le Fee, following a decision Arteta described as “unacceptable”.
Another victory would give Arsenal seven consecutive wins from the beginning of the season, including the Community Shield, something they have not achieved since 2004/05.
Squad depth should help Arteta manage this Carabao Cup assignment. Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are among those who could enter the starting XI.
Ipswich Town searching for another cup upset
Ipswich have already demonstrated their ability to handle knockout football this season, beating Leicester City 3-1 in the previous round.
Gary O’Neil’s side also arrive with some momentum after Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace. Zian Flemming scored the winner in the 90th minute after Palace had Axel Disasi sent off during the first half.
Defensively, however, Ipswich remain vulnerable. They are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and have conceded nine goals across their previous three matches.
That becomes particularly significant against an Arsenal squad where rotation hardly equates to weakness.
History offers Ipswich a reminder of what is possible. They beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their 2010/11 League Cup semi-final before losing the return fixture 3-0.
Team news and possible lineups
Arsenal have concerns in defence. Ben White picked up an injury against Sunderland, while Cristhian Mosquera is also a doubt and William Saliba remains sidelined with a back problem.
Jurrien Timber recently returned from a long-term groin injury and may have to start earlier than Arteta would ideally have wanted.
Ipswich are expected to rest Emersonn after the forward experienced quad tightness against Palace. Jack Taylor is sidelined with a knee problem, while Azor Matusiwa could return following a thigh injury.
Ipswich Town Predicted XI: Walton; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Palacios, Nunez; Philogene, Enciso, Maeda; Flemming.
Arsenal Predicted XI: Kepa; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Guimaraes; Madueke, Merino, Eze; Gyokeres.
Score Prediction: Ipswich Town 0-3 Arsenal
