Arsenal reached the League Cup final for the first time in eight years after edging Chelsea 1-0 in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Substitute Kai Havertz scored late to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory and send Mikel Arteta’s side through to Wembley.
The Gunners went into the second leg with an advantage from the first meeting and managed the tie effectively despite not being at their fluent best. Havertz came off the bench in the closing stages and delivered the decisive moment, finishing calmly to ensure Arsenal progressed and ended a long wait for another League Cup final appearance.
The victory carried added significance for Arsenal, who had suffered disappointment in their previous four semi-final appearances across different competitions. They were beaten in the 2025 Champions League and League Cup semi-finals, as well as the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League, making this win a cathartic moment for players and supporters alike.
Arsenal will now face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final at Wembley on March 22. City hold a 2-0 lead over Newcastle ahead of their second-leg meeting at the Etihad Stadium, putting them in a strong position to set up a showdown with Arteta’s side.
The north London club have not lifted the League Cup since 1993 and have lost their last three appearances in the final. Reaching Wembley gives Arsenal a chance to end that long drought and claim their first major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020, which remains the only silverware Arteta has secured since taking charge in December 2019.
After the match, Arteta praised his team’s resilience and the atmosphere created by the home crowd. He said the players showed a clear understanding of the demands of the game and executed their plan effectively despite the pressure of the occasion.
Arteta noted that the support inside the Emirates Stadium played a key role, describing it as special and influential. He added that the club has been waiting several years to return to a final and that reaching this stage is something the team intends to enjoy.
The result continues what is shaping up to be a memorable season for Arsenal. They are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have already qualified for the Champions League last 16 after winning all eight of their group matches, underlining their consistency across competitions.
Despite their success, Arsenal have faced criticism for their perceived reliance on set-pieces and corner routines for goals. Arteta has strongly defended his side’s approach, insisting that his team are among the most exciting in Europe and revealing that many within the game share that view.
Tuesday’s contest was more of a battle than a showcase of attacking flair, but Arteta was unlikely to be concerned as his side did enough to secure progress. Chelsea, under new manager Liam Rosenior, made the tie competitive but ultimately fell short.
Rosenior had enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure, winning six of his first seven matches in all competitions after replacing Enzo Maresca. However, Arsenal proved to be his stumbling block, handing him the only two defeats of his brief spell in charge.
Chelsea set up with a three-man central defence that disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm in a scrappy first half. The Gunners were without captain Martin Odegaard due to a muscle injury and winger Bukayo Saka, who was forced out after picking up an injury during the pre-match warm-up at Leeds on Saturday.
Arsenal created few clear chances early on, although Piero Hincapie tested Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with a curling effort from the edge of the area. Heavy rain added to the difficulty of the conditions, with visibility reduced and the tempo affected.
Chelsea struggled to create openings, registering their first shot on target after 43 minutes when Enzo Fernandez fired from distance, only for Kepa Arrizabalaga to punch the effort clear. Rosenior responded by introducing Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian after the hour mark as Chelsea chased a goal.
The changes briefly lifted Chelsea, with Fernandez sending a curling effort just over the bar after being set up by Estevao. However, their attacking threat faded as Arsenal regained control and waited for an opportunity to strike.
That moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Chelsea were caught on the counterattack. Havertz rounded Sanchez and calmly slotted into the empty net, delivering the decisive blow and confirming Arsenal’s place in the final.
Rosenior admitted his side were close but lacked the decisive quality in key moments. He said the defeat was painful but stressed that he had seen improvement between the two legs and believes Chelsea are moving in the right direction.
For Arsenal, the focus now shifts to Wembley and the possibility of ending a long trophy wait. With their strong league position and European progress already secured, the League Cup final represents another major opportunity to underline their resurgence under Arteta.
