Why Chelsea and Tottenham are in the Carabao Cup second-round draw but Arsenal are not

Chelsea and Tottenham will not be joined by Arsenal in the Carabao Cup second round draw — and here's why. All three London clubs will be hoping for a strong performance in the domestic cups this season after spending big in the summer transfer window.

The likes of Crystal Palace and Brentford will be among the sides eagerly awaiting the Carabao Cup draw, alongside Chelsea and Spurs who will be entering the competition at the second-round stage. However, Arsenal will have to wait until the second-round ties take place on the week beginning August 28 to find out their opening Carabao Cup opponents.

That is because the Gunners are among the eight top-flight clubs who are involved in European action in the 2023/24 campaign and therefore exempt from the competition until the third round.

Arsenal, along with holders Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa will enter the competition at the last-32 stage.

For those still interested in who else might make it through to the third round, the Carabao Cup second-round draw takes place tonight and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football, plus Sky Sports News.

The ball numbers for draw have now been confirmed with 11 Premier League clubs joining 37 EFL sides in the second round of the competition.

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