Arsenal's Long Wait for Carabao Cup Glory Continues Against Ipswich

Arsenal’s long Carabao Cup wait goes back more than three decades. The reigning Premier League champions begin another attempt to end it on Tuesday night, away to a buoyant Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Arteta’s side travel with momentum snarling at their heels: six wins from six in all competitions, five clean sheets, and an early-season authority that feels familiar. The trophy they’re chasing does not. Arsenal have not lifted this cup since 1993, when Paul Merson and Steve Morrow toppled Sheffield Wednesday. Four finals have come and gone since then, the latest defeat arriving against Manchester City last season.

Ipswich, though, are not rolling out a red carpet. They’re rolling up their sleeves.

Portman Road under the lights

Carabao Cup, third round. Portman Road. Tuesday, 15 September 2026. Kick-off 20:00 BST. Peter Bankes has the whistle, and there will be no VAR to rescue anyone.

Ipswich are back in the top flight and playing like they belong. Gary O’Neil has overseen a sharp return to Premier League life: an opening-day win over Sunderland, a cup victory against Leicester City, and a wild, late comeback against Crystal Palace, sealed by Zian Flemming’s 90th-minute strike after Axel Disasi’s first-half red card.

They’re entertaining. They’re brave. They’re also leaky. O’Neil’s side are yet to keep a clean sheet and have conceded nine goals in their last three matches. Against an Arsenal team that have barely given opponents a sniff, that imbalance could define the tie.

The last time these clubs met, Arsenal ran out 4-0 winners in the Premier League in April 2025. That was at the Emirates. This will feel very different.

Old ties, new stakes

There is a personal subplot. Ipswich striker Chuba Akpom, a product of Arsenal’s academy, could face his boyhood club for the first time. Portman Road will not be sentimental if he scores, but the narrative writes itself: the one that got away, trying to derail a giant’s hunt for silverware.

Their only previous Carabao Cup meeting came in the 2010-11 semi-finals. Ipswich stunned Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg at Portman Road, before a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates ended their run. The ground knows what an upset feels like. It also knows how ruthless Arsenal can be when stung.

Team news: rotation and risk

O’Neil’s selection issues are limited but awkward. Jack Taylor (knee) and Azor Matusiwa (thigh) are out and have not featured this season. Emersonn was withdrawn with quad tightness against Crystal Palace, though his manager suggested he would likely have been rested anyway. That opens the door for Zian Flemming to lead the line. Crucially, he is eligible for Ipswich despite playing for Burnley earlier in the competition.

Arsenal’s problems lie deeper in the squad, but Arteta has the depth to absorb them. William Saliba remains out with a back injury and is not expected back for a couple of months. Ben White is a fresh concern after limping off with a groin issue against Sunderland. Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt as well.

Arteta is expected to swing the rotation axe hard, with close to nine changes anticipated. Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to continue as his cup goalkeeper, while Viktor Gyokeres is in line to spearhead the attack. It is still a formidable side, even with the big names shuffled.

Form lines: fragility vs control

Ipswich arrive with belief but without defensive certainty. That dramatic Palace win underlined their spirit and attacking edge, yet also their vulnerability. Nine goals conceded in three games is a glaring warning sign when Arsenal roll into town.

Arsenal, by contrast, are operating with the control of a team that knows exactly what it is. Their 2-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday extended a perfect start to the campaign, Community Shield included. Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka struck in the second half, while David Raya saved a contentious penalty to preserve another clean sheet.

If they win at Portman Road, Arsenal will make it seven straight victories to open a season for the first time since 2004-05. That statistic hangs over the tie like a challenge: can anyone slow them down?

Predicted lineups

• Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1, predicted): Walton; O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Palacios, Nunez; Philogene, Enciso, Maeda; Flemming.
• Arsenal (4-2-3-1, predicted): Kepa; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Guimaraes; Madueke, Merino, Eze; Gyokeres.

Sky Sports+ will carry the game live in the United Kingdom, but the real story will unfold in the noise and tension of Portman Road. Arsenal are chasing history and a long-neglected trophy. Ipswich are chasing a statement.

One of them will leave with their early-season story sharpened. The other will walk away wondering if this cup is destined to keep slipping from their grasp.