Arsenal on the Brink of Carabao Cup Final After Narrow Victory Over Chelsea

LONDON — Arsenal’s struggles in the semifinals persist, yet they stand on the cusp of breaking this cycle, which could significantly impact their season.

The Gunners are now strong favorites to advance to the Carabao Cup final after their narrow 3-2 victory over Chelsea in Wednesday’s first leg of the semifinal at Stamford Bridge.

Under Mikel Arteta’s steady leadership over the past six years, the team’s ultimate challenge remains to consistently secure trophies and convert the perceived superiority of their squad into decisive victories.

Historically, this has been a daunting task for Arsenal. In four semifinal ties covering eight matches, Arteta’s team has not won, suffering six losses and scoring only twice. Last season, they faced a comprehensive defeat against Newcastle United, losing 4-0 on aggregate, which further fueled doubts regarding their capability to clinch silverware.

The memory of their 2020 FA Cup triumph feels increasingly distant, making this match feel particularly pivotal for the club.

“It is another step but it is just halftime,” Arteta remarked. “We know the significant challenge awaiting us at the Emirates in a few weeks, as they are a formidable side.

“In 20 minutes, I will shift my focus to Forest and ensure everyone is ready to recover for that match. We are pleased with our performance tonight, but we must now concentrate on the next challenge.”

He acknowledged the importance of the victory for building momentum, especially against a team known for their ability to exploit defensive vulnerabilities rapidly.

Arsenal reaffirmed their dominance over Chelsea, who struggled despite having ten players for nearly an hour during their Premier League match last November. Since then, Chelsea has undergone a coaching change, with Liam Rosenior stepping in to replace Enzo Maresca. Unfortunately for Rosenior, he set an unwanted record as the seventh consecutive manager to fail in their first home game.

This encounter was always going to be a challenge; Arsenal has not lost to Chelsea in any competition since 2021, maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak of nine matches. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s late brace provided Chelsea with a glimmer of hope for an unlikely comeback.

The match commenced with Ben White scoring a header in the seventh minute, benefiting from two critical errors by goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. The second blunder occurred shortly after halftime when Viktor Gyökeres capitalized on Sánchez’s misplay, doubling Arsenal’s lead. Garnacho reignited Chelsea’s hopes with a well-placed shot into the near post, before Martín Zubimendi netted a brilliant goal, showcasing a deft touch in a flowing team move.

Gyökeres had a standout performance, contributing significantly with a goal and an assist, marking his first goal from open play since November 1.

Arsenal’s aspiration is that advancing to the final will bolster their confidence as they aim to excel in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, where they currently lead the table.

Chelsea remained persistent, with Garnacho scoring again from a corner that Arsenal failed to clear, rekindling hope for the return leg on February 3. Following the match, Rosenior reflected on the challenges his team faced, citing several absences due to injuries and illness.

“Cole [Palmer] was unable to play due to a minor strain, and Reece [James] was limited by a hip injury,” Rosenior explained. “We had other players unavailable due to illness, which complicated our preparations. However, I saw positive aspects in the team’s performance.”

Rosenior aims to demonstrate both authority and humility as he transitions into his role. “I have been here for six days and overseen two matches,” he stated, referencing an earlier FA Cup win. “I’m not requesting time because I believe in this team’s potential to win now, yet I also need to imprint my vision for the squad. It’s about finding that balance while aiming for victory.”

Arsenal seeks to progress and win, inching closer to achieving their aspirations.