Arsenal Triumphs Over Chelsea to Reach Carabao Cup Final

LONDON — The final steps are often the most challenging. For Arsenal this season, the sole objective is victory, and Tuesday’s result—a 1-0 win over Chelsea—secured their place in a cup final for the first time in six years.

The second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal proved to be a hard-fought battle. Chelsea adopted a back five, pressing high on Arsenal, while also deploying three players to defend corners, effectively limiting Arsenal’s set-piece threats.

This tactical setup seemed to confuse the home side, who struggled to create significant opportunities. With a 3-2 lead from the first leg, Chelsea comfortably settled into a defensive shape that suited them well.

Chelsea attempted to change their fortunes around the hour mark by switching to a back four and introducing Cole Palmer and Estêvão. However, they encountered a resilient Arsenal defense anchored by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães. The match saw a breakthrough when substitute Kai Havertz capitalized on a counter-attack deep in stoppage time, skillfully rounding Robert Sánchez to score against his former club.

As Havertz pointed to the badge, the Emirates Stadium erupted in celebration, with fans reveling in the knowledge that they are 90 minutes away from adding silverware to the progress head coach Mikel Arteta has fostered since winning the FA Cup in 2020.

That victory occurred at a Wembley stadium devoid of fans due to Covid-19 restrictions, amplifying the club’s desire for a joyous trophy-winning moment together.

The opportunity to claim the trophy will arise on March 22, likely against Manchester City, who hold a 2-0 lead over Newcastle United with home advantage in their semifinal.

“We’re only one match away,” Arteta stated. “These moments provide the best motivation for us as we play every three days. The effort we put in to achieve these milestones is magical. The joy and energy from everyone at the club are palpable. Winning enhances confidence and morale; we will prepare diligently for the final.

“However, we must set this aside as we have a crucial Premier League match against Sunderland in just three days.”

This marks the first significant setback during Liam Rosenior’s tenure at Chelsea. His game plan elicited mixed reactions, as he attempted to navigate a semifinal tie while trailing.

Rosenior’s strategy made sense, especially after confirming that Pedro Neto and Reece James were ruled out due to fitness issues on the morning of the match. Chelsea effectively stifled Arsenal’s attempts to dominate the match.

At halftime, Arsenal’s expected goals tally was a mere 0.18, their third-lowest figure since the start of 2024. The challenge arose when Chelsea sought to attack; Palmer appeared to lack match fitness, while Estêvão was understandably affected by a recent trip to Brazil for personal reasons. Alejandro Garnacho, who was introduced 15 minutes before the end, remained largely ineffective.

Some critics may argue that Rosenior should have been more daring with his substitutions. However, the psychological pressure of the crowd is significant, and Chelsea’s approach aimed to harness that.

“You can come away from home, press man-for-man and either go 2-0 up or fall behind,” Rosenior reflected. “The psychological aspect of the tie was crucial, and at the 60-minute mark, I introduced Cole and Estêvão, hoping the game would open up for us. While we didn’t achieve our desired outcome, it’s not merely about game plans; it’s about results.”

The implications for Arsenal could be transformative. They have finally broken their semifinal jinx, having lost at this stage on four consecutive occasions, alongside three second-place finishes in the Premier League—these results had created a mental barrier they were eager to overcome.

This season holds the potential for transformation, allowing Arsenal to shed their ‘nearly-men’ reputation and embrace the identity of winners. With a final on the horizon, the momentum in all competitions remains alive, keeping the dream of a quadruple within reach.

While discussions of a quadruple may be premature, as history warns against taking any trophy for granted, Arsenal recently faced scrutiny over their form. Now, they are moving forward confidently, one small step at a time.