Arsenal Advances in Carabao Cup with Victory Over Chelsea

In a thrilling Carabao Cup clash, Ben White netted his first goal of the season, leading Arsenal to a 3-2 victory over Chelsea. This win marks a significant step for the Gunners, advancing them to a position just one game away from their first major final since their FA Cup success in 2020.

Historically, under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s performance in semi-finals has been less than impressive, having lost their last four two-legged semi-finals and only managing to score two goals during that span. However, the triumph at Chelsea has positioned them as favorites to break this semi-final curse, as they prepare for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.

This season, Arsenal has excelled, currently leading both the Premier League and the Champions League, and advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup. With only two losses—both away from home against Liverpool and Aston Villa—they have demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill.

Despite the positive outcome, Arteta expressed that the margin of victory could have been greater. “First of all, I have to praise the players for their performance against a really good opponent,” he remarked. He noted that Arsenal had opportunities to extend their lead but conceded a goal that brought Chelsea back into contention.

Striker Viktor Gyokeres, who transferred from Sporting for £64 million, had struggled initially but found his rhythm with a goal against Chelsea—his first from open play since November. He also assisted Martin Zubimendi’s goal, reinforcing his impact in the match. “That’s what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going,” Gyokeres stated.

Despite a strong start, Arsenal allowed Chelsea to rally back into the game. After initially leading 2-0, they saw their advantage cut to 2-1 after Alejandro Garnacho scored for Chelsea. Although Zubimendi restored a two-goal cushion, Garnacho struck again, leaving the tie delicately poised.

Reflecting on the match, Ben White acknowledged, “We didn’t play very well in the second half and let them apply more pressure. It’s disappointing, but we still secured the win.”

With the focus now shifting to their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, Arteta emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation. “In 20 minutes, I’m going to start thinking about Forest and ensure everyone recovers from this match. I’m pleased with our performance tonight, but it’s time to move forward.”