Arsenal are back in the spotlight, reaching a major final for the first time in six years, thanks to a hard-fought victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Mikel Arteta’s side, enjoying an impressive run this season, secured a 1-0 win in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, overturning their first-leg deficit to progress 4-2 on aggregate.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time, when German forward Kai Havertz, facing his former club Chelsea, calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. Havertz’s strike not only sealed Arsenal’s place in the final at Wembley next month but also injected fresh optimism into the Gunners’ ambitions for silverware this season.
Chelsea had dominated portions of the match, pressing Arsenal for long periods, particularly after their first-leg home defeat. Yet, despite several attacking forays, the visitors could not construct the necessary chances to break down Arsenal’s disciplined defence.
Arsenal’s most notable opportunity in the first half came in the 18th minute when Piero Hincapié unleashed a long-range effort that tested Sánchez. Chelsea, setting up with five defenders to counter Arsenal’s attacks, limited the Gunners’ chances but were ultimately undone by a moment of late brilliance.
After the interval, Arsenal maintained control of the game. Although the one-goal cushion kept the contest tense, the London side managed the match efficiently. Chelsea attempted a late resurgence, bringing on Cole Palmer and Estêvão to bolster their attack, but the visitors were unable to find the back of the net.
Arsenal grew slightly nervous in the closing stages, with Declan Rice directing teammates to remain composed. Gabriel’s header in the 76th minute threatened to extend Arsenal’s lead, only for Marc Cucurella to clear the ball off the line. Finally, in stoppage time, Rice delivered a precise pass to Havertz, who calmly chipped the goalkeeper and celebrated the match-winning goal.
This victory keeps Arsenal’s hopes of lifting the Carabao Cup alive for the third time, following previous triumphs in 1987 and 1993. In the final, they will face the winner of the semi-final clash between Manchester City and Newcastle United, with City holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
For Arsenal, this represents their closest approach to a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020, signalling a potential return to the elite echelons of English football.
Carabao Cup Semi-Final Summary: Arsenal vs Chelsea
| Date | Venue | Score (Leg 2) | Aggregate | Goal Scorer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Feb 2026 | Emirates Stadium | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | 4-2 | Kai Havertz (90+ min) | Arsenal progress to final |
| First Leg | Stamford Bridge | Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal | — | — | Arsenal overcame deficit |
