Arsenal set for all-Premier League clash in Carabao Cup third round
Arsenal have discovered who they will face in the third round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup and have been handed a trip to fellow Premier League side Ipswich Town.
The Gunners enter the tournament at this stage along with eight other Premier League sides due to their participation in this season's Champions League.
This matchup signals the start of a potential route to silverware for Mikel Arteta and his side, and he will be hoping his side can go one better than last campaign's attempt.
The draw was made on Wednesday evening following Everton's 4-0 victory away to Preston North End, but due to Arsenal's involvement in European competition, they were subject to a partial pre-draw.
Along with the other sides to be competing in continental tournaments, the Gunners saw their travel status drawn ahead of the night's games and that dealt them an away trip regardless of who they faced.
It was Ipswich who were pulled out of the bowl for the North Londoners and they will host the Premier League champions at Portman Road for the first time since April 2025, and it will be the first encounter in the League Cup since a 3-1 aggregate win for Arsenal in the semi-finals of the 2010/11 edition.
The Tractor Boys reached this stage following a 3-1 victory over League One side Leicester City last night. Marcelino Núñez netted a brace to add to Sindre Walle Egeli's strike and knock the Foxes out of the cup, setting up a tie with Arteta's team.
Despite Ipswich making a strong return to the top flight with a 2-1 win against Sunderland in their opener, Arsenal will be the heavy favourites, having reached the final of the Carabao Cup last season, something they will be looking to better this time round. Manchester City defeated them 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to claim the trophy.
The Gunners' head-to-head record against Ipswich holds up well too with the Emirates Stadium outfit winning 32 of their 61 encounters. They were victorious in both meetings during the 2024/25 season, claiming a 1-0 win at home and a 4-0 victory at Portman Road as the Tractor Boys were relegated and Arsenal finished second for the third season running.
Both sides have got stronger since with Arteta's side finally winning the Premier League title while Ipswich secured an immediate return to the top flight, but the odds will very much be in the favour of Arsenal, who will be looking for a comfortable progression to the fourth round.
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