Ipswich Town vs Arsenal takes place at Portman Road on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 SAST, with Arsenal beginning their campaign against an Ipswich side that reached this stage by beating Leicester City in the previous round.
Arsenal arrive after a 2-0 Premier League win at Sunderland, while Ipswich produced a 3-2 away victory over Crystal Palace in their most recent league match. The fixture also brings the clubs together in the League Cup for the first time since their 2010/11 semi-final.
This preview covers the confirmed match details, current team-news picture, recent form and head-to-head context. Confirmed starting lineups should be handled separately once the clubs officially release their teams.
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal match details and Carabao Cup context
| Match detail | Information |
| Fixture | Ipswich Town vs Arsenal |
| Competition | Carabao Cup 2026/27 – Third Round |
| Date | Tuesday, 15 September 2026 |
| Kick-off | 21:00 SAST / 20:00 BST |
| Venue | Portman Road, Ipswich |
| Ipswich manager | Gary O’Neil |
| Arsenal manager | Mikel Arteta |
Ipswich entered the competition one round earlier and beat Leicester City 3-1 at Portman Road to reach the third round. Arsenal enter at this stage after competing in Europe and return to the competition after reaching last season’s final.
There will be no VAR at Portman Road. Under the EFL’s competition rules, VAR is only used in rounds where every stadium hosting a tie has access to the technology.
READ ALSO: Ipswich Town FC: squad, fixtures, results and club profile
Ipswich Town team news and recent form
Ipswich come into the cup tie after beating Crystal Palace 3-2 away on 12 September. The result gave Gary O’Neil’s side an important league win three days before Arsenal’s visit.
Arsenal’s official pre-match update lists three Ipswich fitness concerns. Emersonn came off during the win at Crystal Palace with a quad issue, Jack Taylor is dealing with a knee injury and Azor Matusiwa has a thigh problem but could still be available.
Zian Flemming is eligible to play even though he featured for Burnley in an earlier League Cup round, following a change to competition rules. Any final availability changes should be checked against Ipswich’s official matchday squad.
Arsenal team news and recent form
Arsenal travel to Portman Road after a 2-0 win at Sunderland and have opened the season with a strong run of results across domestic and European competition.
Jurrien Timber returned in the second half at Sunderland for his first appearance since the Champions League final in May. Ben White was forced off at half-time in that match, while Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba both missed the trip as they continued their recoveries.
Mikel Arteta has also indicated that squad rotation is possible in the cup, but the confirmed XI should not be assumed in advance. The official lineup will provide the clearest indication of how heavily Arsenal rotate for the tie.
READ ALSO: Aston Villa vs Arsenal: recent SportPesa South Africa match preview
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal H2H and League Cup history
Arsenal have dominated the recent head-to-head. Ipswich have lost 14 of their last 18 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, including six of the last seven without scoring. The exception in that recent sequence was a 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg win in January 2011.
| Date | Competition | Fixture | Result |
| 20 Apr 2025 | Premier League | Ipswich Town vs Arsenal | 0-4 |
| 27 Dec 2024 | Premier League | Arsenal vs Ipswich Town | 1-0 |
| 25 Jan 2011 | League Cup semi-final | Arsenal vs Ipswich Town | 3-0 |
| 12 Jan 2011 | League Cup semi-final | Ipswich Town vs Arsenal | 1-0 |
Arsenal have progressed from two of their three previous League Cup ties against Ipswich. The 2010/11 semi-final remains the most relevant cup reference: Ipswich won the first leg 1-0 before Arsenal overturned the tie with a 3-0 victory in London.
READ ALSO: Premier League fixtures and upcoming matches
Key match factors before kick-off
Ipswich’s strongest route into the game may come from the energy of Portman Road and their ability to attack quickly after turnovers. Leif Davis has started the season strongly from left-back, while Saša Lukić and Exequiel Palacios give Ipswich physicality and ball-winning ability in central midfield.
Arsenal’s main selection question is how Arteta balances rotation with the need to progress. The availability of Timber, White, Mosquera and Saliba will influence the defensive structure, while changes further forward could create opportunities for players who have had fewer minutes.
With no VAR in use, on-field decisions will stand without video review. That places additional emphasis on game management, discipline and the match officials across a knockout tie.
Where to follow Ipswich Town vs Arsenal
For changing match information such as confirmed lineups, the live score, goals, cards and match events, follow SP Score. This preview should remain the pre-match reference page, while confirmed lineups, live information and the final result are handled separately.
Eligible adults who want to view the football markets available for the fixture can visit SportPesa South Africa’s soccer section. Available markets and prices can change before kick-off. Bet responsibly.
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal FAQs
When is Ipswich Town vs Arsenal?
The Carabao Cup third-round match is scheduled for Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
What time is Ipswich Town vs Arsenal?
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 SAST, which is 20:00 BST.
Where is Ipswich Town vs Arsenal being played?
The match is at Portman Road in Ipswich.
What competition is Ipswich Town vs Arsenal in?
The fixture is in the third round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup.
Will VAR be used for Ipswich Town vs Arsenal?
No. VAR will not be used at Portman Road for this Carabao Cup tie.
Are the Ipswich Town vs Arsenal lineups confirmed?
No. Confirmed starting XIs should only be added once both clubs officially release their teams.
What happened the last time Ipswich hosted Arsenal?
Arsenal won 4-0 at Portman Road in the Premier League on 20 April 2025.
Conclusion
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal brings Arsenal’s Carabao Cup campaign to Portman Road against an Ipswich side arriving from a 3-2 league win at Crystal Palace. The third-round tie kicks off at 21:00 SAST on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
Team availability remains one of the main pre-match questions, with both clubs monitoring defensive and attacking fitness concerns. Confirmed lineups and any late changes should be checked against official club communication before kick-off.
