Arsenal booked their place at Wembley with a dramatic 1-0 win over Chelsea within the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tonight, sealing a 4-2 combination victory on the Emirates Stadium.
Having taken a 3-2 benefit from the primary leg, the Gunners knew persistence can be key, a theme already highlighted in SoftFootball’s build-up to the tie as Arsenal regarded to complete the job at house.
The match itself was tense and cagey, with Chelsea seeing extra of the ball however struggling to interrupt down an organised Arsenal aspect. The guests arrived in north London buoyed by latest league momentum, but discovered clear possibilities onerous to come back by as Arsenal centered on construction and self-discipline quite than attacking aptitude.
The primary half supplied little in the best way of clear openings. Sloppy moments on the again from each side hinted at nerves, whereas long-range efforts from Enzo Fernández and speculative makes an attempt from Trevoh Chalobah failed to actually check the goalkeepers.
Arsenal have been content material to let Chelsea have possession, trusting their again line and ready for the correct second to strike. Chelsea confirmed higher urgency after the break, introducing attacking choices and pushing larger up the pitch.
Marc Cucurella and Fernández each tried their luck from a distance, whereas Wesley Fofana went shut from a nook. Arsenal, in the meantime, grew annoyed and supplied little going ahead for lengthy spells, with the Emirates crowd sensing the hazard because the minutes ticked away.
The decisive second arrived deep into stoppage time. With Chelsea committing our bodies ahead, Declan Rice intercepted a cross and surged upfield on the counter.
He slipped the ball into the trail of substitute Kai Havertz, who stored his composure to spherical Robert Sánchez and roll the ball into the empty internet within the 97th minute. It was a ruthless end that silenced Chelsea’s late push and despatched Arsenal followers into celebration.
The outcome, shared by the membership’s official X account, not solely secured Arsenal’s place of their first cup ultimate since 2020 but in addition prolonged their unbeaten run towards Chelsea to 10 matches.
With Wembley now in sight and momentum constructing after latest dominant league performances, Mikel Arteta’s aspect stay firmly within the hunt for silverware this season.
