Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal at the Emirates, even though the Blues delivered a very strong performance. The result confirms that Arsenal have reached the final of the competition.
The Gunners were fully aware that they would face a far-improved Chelsea side compared to the team they encountered in the first leg. Since that earlier meeting, the Blues have shown clear signs of progress, making this return fixture a far more demanding test for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Chelsea Applies Sustained Pressure
If Arsenal are to establish themselves as consistent trophy winners, they must overcome high-quality opposition, and Chelsea provided exactly that challenge. From the opening stages, the visitors applied pressure and looked comfortable in possession, forcing Arsenal to defend with discipline and patience.
Chelsea arrived at the Emirates in strong form and understood that they would need to perform at their highest level to trouble the Gunners on their own ground. Arsenal absorbed much of what Chelsea produced while still posing a threat going forward, though they were met with firm resistance from Liam Rosenior’s team.
By half-time, Arsenal were aware that they were facing a more resilient and organised opponent than anticipated. The hosts knew improvement would be required after the interval if they were to maintain control of the tie.
Late Drama at the Emirates
Chelsea emerged for the second half with renewed intent, searching for the goal they needed to draw level on aggregate. Their increased intensity made the contest tighter, producing an engaging spectacle for supporters, even as clear chances remained limited due to Arsenal’s composed defending.
Chelsea’s improved display forced several errors from Arsenal, yet the home side remained resilient under sustained pressure. Ultimately, Arsenal survived a late onslaught and secured victory with a dramatic winner from Kai Havertz, scored with virtually the final kick of the match, sealing their place in the Carabao Cup final.
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Late onslaught, far from it. Comfortable game with Chelsea limited to a single shot on target. We booked a date to Wembley. With how Arteta has done in cups that is a massive improvement.
It means Wolves game cancelled, moved to two weeks time, our fixtures look a bit easier with run of homes at key time.
Yes , looks easier, hopefully we don’t let complacency come in. Any small let off and we make hard on us. How amazing was the Emirates crowd tonight!?
Hairs standing up on the neck towards the end. And I wasn’t even there.
A clean sheet when it matters.Over the two matches we were the better side and deserved to make the final.Gabriel was a rock at the back and so pleased for Havertz who showed his class and composure in his finish.
Into the final and the hunt goes on!!! Next up Sunderland. COYG!
Our defense was 100% on it today, nothing got past them. Hincapie looked like he’s been playing for us for years with that performance. Gabriel, did he lose any duels tonight? He puts on top performances so regularly that he doesn’t get the praise sometimes, Saliba and Timber too great games for them. Rice/Zubi worked hard, especially Rice you can tell wanted so badly to go to this final. Eze was decent overall, and even if things weren’t going our way for our attackers they all put in a defensive shift when required which was the main thing we needed today. Mikel also responded with great subs at perfect times to counteract Chelsea’s subs. Very happy with this game, thought everyone did great.
@RSH
That’s what I admired most about this match. How we absorbed their pressure and didn’t buckle under it. For the most part, we maintained a good defensive shape and gave back blow for blow. Every man putting in a brilliant shift. Much respect to the Ladz and MA for this one…👏🏾
Paul Merson cheeky person laying it on a bit too thick on Sky tonight. Chelsea’s tactics and performance wasn’t all that bad.
Oh if really was
A sad reflection on the English game
The way the sport is going
It
Hopefully we win our first trophy of the season in the final
So excited
Get your yellow ribbon ready peeps
60 million down the drain – Kai Havertz scores again!
Very amusingly too.
So all the good work Gyokeres put in prior to his substitution (playing against a back 5) counts for nothing. Not taking anything away from Havertz’s composed finish, but do you honestly believe Gyokeres could not of emulated it?
Why denigrate any Arsenal player after a semi final win over two legs?
I misread the post OG
I thought it meant to be ironic about Havertz who also cost a similar amount
Ozziegunner, I don’t think you’ve been keeping updated with some of our fans’ chants.
Chelsea did not “onslaught” Arsenal at all; we contained them to the extent that they had just one shot on target, and very few shots overall. Perfect tactics by Arteta, and a great performance by the team.
We are in the final.
Arteta finally wins his 2nd semifinal in 6 years after about 5 failed attempts. Hurray!!
Now let’s try and finish the business up in Wembley.
Hopefully he is learning how to cross the finish line and we go to Wembley and win the trophy against Man City or Newcastle.
I don’t see Newcastle scoring 3 goals without conceding though.
It’s going to be a very tough match against Pep’s team but we can still win them because they are beatable this season.
Now, over to Sunderland on Saturday. I believe we have what it takes to get the 3 points and hopefully get to extend our lead at the top of the table.
Huge weekend in the title race
Yes, it is a huge weekend indeed ahead in the title race.
I’m glad we are playing first before the Liverpool vs City game.
According to your theory that has been somewhat proven, we cope better when we play first with lesser pressure, especially if City drop points.
Fingers crossed, we get the 3 points and City lose or draw.
An 8 or 9 points gap will strengthen our grip in the league.
Bloody loved it! Of all the people to score, it had to be Kai. What a light show, what a result, what an atmosphere! Brilliant..
Que sera sera!
Sue,
Oh what an atmosphere!. Russ Abbot couldn’t have said it better.
One for the oldies there. 😂👍
Anyone wondering, Russ Abbot sang a song with the lyrics, Oh what an atmosphere I love a party with an atmosphere. 😂😉👍
Derek, yeah, but was Russ Abbot a Gooner?🤔
Jax,
Now that’s a question I can’t answer. 🤔😉
I bet that has you jigging now, Derek 🤣
Evening Sue,
I’ve stopped the jigging now. The old hips can’t take it anymore.😂👍
🤣🤣 Have a nice evening, Derek. Enjoy the match – I’ll be amazed if Newcastle come back
Sue,
👍👍👍👍👍
Sat in the lounge bar with some Chavs and fellow Arsenal fans and what an atmosphere it was here floating on the Atlantic as well.
We soaked up their pressure, looked dangerous ourselves, great MA substitutions and London is Red yet again.
Will be wearing my Gunner shirt tomorrow and looking forward to watching who we’ll play in the final.
What a great time we’re having this season!! COYG
Job done by Arteta and a deep strong squad. Onward and upward!
That pile on in the picture above – will have to check for injuries from that pile on tomorrow. Will be surprised if Martinelli hasn’t mislaid his spare rib. Kai looked damaged from it too.
A well-deserved and disciplined win against a strong Chelsea side, but our strong defence didn’t let them get many chances. Happy that Kai Havertz is back in the role of goalscorer again. Now let’s go all the way at Wimbley.
WE’RE THE FAMOUS ARSENAL AND WE’RE GOING TO WEM-BER-LEY! Well done to Arteta and the boys, played it perfectly over the two legs and in the end we deserved to book our place in the final, if it’s City we meet it’s gonna be a huge chance to really stamp our authority on them, win the cup and hopefully we push onto winning the league come May, up the gunners!
I misread the post OG
I thought it meant to be ironic about Havertz who also cost a similar amount
I must have missed the ‘onslaught’, because I thought we contained Chelsea for the whole match, limiting them to just one shot on target & not many overall. Perfect tactics by Arteta, and he must have just known Kai would score.
Two shots on target.
Jax, can you help me out?
Been looking for a comment from Konstantin and can’t find it anywhere!!. Do you think he’s writing an article praising the manager and players?!
Ken1945,
I think that Konstantin must have his hands full. Eating some humble pie, maybe!. 😉👍
You’ll be looking until next season (if then), Ken.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a defensive masterclass by Arsenal. The only positive for Chelsea is that they showed the rest of the teams in the league how to nullify our superiority at corners by three of their players peeling away up to the halfway line meaning three of ours had to follow them away from goal, thus taking the sting out of our blocking/crowding tactic. Overall, Gabriel and Saliba were giants in our defence!
Yes, that was brilliant from Chelsea. Hopefully it won’t stop us from still scoring corners.
Zubimendi the signing of the season.
He dictates the game.
Hincapie also an exceptional signing.
Lets not under estimate Sunderland.
Don’t think that we will.
Arteta has a lovely turn of phrase sometimes; hense his his description of the result as: “It’s the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies…”
The game itself wasn’t much to write home about, but the result and the way Arsenal comfortably dealt with anything that Chelsea tried was very satisfying.
Although just from a Chelsea stand point, had I been a fan of them, I would have been disappointed that they didn’t throw the kitchen sink at us. As a Semi-Final goes, they barely laid a glove on us if were honest.
But that’s their problem not ours. It was nice to see Havertz have the final say. And as for the Chelsea corner routine, I think If we find ourselves winning a game, and the opposition do what Chelsea did, I would like to see us gamble and let the three run forward. We would then out number them in the box.
I’d only try it if we’re winning though, as it would be a major risk if we lost the ball.
But back to the game, well done boys on a job well done over the two legs. Now can you please provide us with that elusive trophy, 🏆. PLEASE!.🤞😂👍
I’m on holiday Derek and it was a struggle to stay awake till midnight. I was on the verge of turning off the box and blow me down, Havertz didn’t miss and I could go to sleep a contented soul.
Evening SueP,
I’m glad to see you could get a nice sleep. I hope you’re enjoying you’re holiday. 👍
Sue,
Oh what an atmosphere!. Russ Abbot couldn’t have said it better.
One for the oldies there. 😂👍
Anyone wondering, Russ Abbot sang a song with the lyrics, Oh what an atmosphere I love a party with an atmosphere. 😂😉👍
I heard a song and really liked it …..didn’t know it was a Spurs song ….what do I do lol ?
Dan,
Am I misunderstanding you’re post. Are you saying that the Russ Abbot song is a Spurs song, If so I’m going to wash my mouth out right now. 😂👍
No lol
I don’t know who he is
Dan,
I’m even more confused now. What’s you’re reference to, didn’t know it was a Spurs song meant to mean then.
Sorry if I’m being dumb by the way, but it wouldn’t be the first time. 🤦♂️😂👍
No mate
I was just saying the other day I found out that a song I liked for years was sung at Spurs often
I’m sorry I have confused everyone lol
Dan,
Thank you for clearing that up. I thought I was losing it. 😂
You’re younger than I thought
SueP,
Is you’re post about me or Dan?.
SueP,
I’ve just looked at you’re post again, and It’s Dan you’re talking about. I’m just one big ball of confusion this evening. 🤦♂️
Definitely not you Derek!🤣😁
I certainly remember Russ Abbot. Not sure the youthful Dan Smith does
SueP,
I remember a sketch with Russ Abbot and Bella Emberg. She was blunder woman and he was Cooperman.
Instead of wonder woman and superman. Oh, those were the days. 😂
Enjoy the rest of you’re evening, I’m off. 😉👍
I remember that Derek 😂😂😂
No it’s probably more my lack of music knowledge
I probably will know the song when I hear it but not the artist
Dan,
I’ve just looked the song up on you tube. Just type in Russ Abbot singing oh what an atmosphere.
I promise you, you’re feet will be tapping in no time.😂👍
On to it
Dan,
Let me know what you think. 😂👍
An unfunny and annoying comic.
As much as Chelsea won’t believe it and to some extent, our fans as well, we, the Arsenal are years above Chelsea. Their approach in the game tells you how much they fear and respect Arsenal. Its time we the fans embrace the idea that we are certainly an elite team. Just like Barcelona and Real Madrid the years before. COYG.
I like the idea of Arsenal being classed as an elite team, but by definition it means we the supporters lack the wherewithal to be humble. Drat! Damn and blast! Hopefully come May we can throw our humbleness to the wind and take to the streets around Highbury and Islington and share in the glory with the coaching staff and team.
Arsenal should be considered an elite team now. As should Chelsea. On their day Chelsea are a match for any team in world football and deserve respect for the quality of their squad and the football they play.
Emmyjay,
Now while I admire you’re positive stance. Can I just say it’s still a little early to be calling our side elite.
Elite teams win things, until our team can produce, then for me they are a team that are currently leading the way.
Elite, I’m afraid not just yet. But in the future, here’s hoping. 🤞
What’s your current view on Arteta, Derek? Are you working towards a grain of positivity or ready to bear down again if a result goes against us?
SueP,
To be fair to myself I think on the whole this season I’ve been more balanced in my views on him.
And if you look at my post’s even in defeat or a draw, I’m not going for him or the team in an over negative way. Yes I’ll have my opinions, but I have said on more than one occasion that anyone who thinks we won’t lose a game here or there are kidding themselves.
So as I say, I’m being more balanced and trying to think in a more logical way rather than an emotional way.
And just to add, at the beginning of the season I did say that I would be taking the League games in blocks of 6.
Well just to update you on my thoughts, in the first 6 games we picked up 13 from 18 points..
The next 6: we picked up 16 points, total 29.
The next 6: we picked up 13 points, total 42.
The next 6: We picked up 11 points, total 53.
So although that represents our worst points return of the blocks of 6, I think it fair to say that being 7 points clear is pretty impressive.
So I think you’ll agree I’m being more balanced. And get ready SueP, I hope you’re sitting down. Well Done Mikel Arteta. What’s the matter with me. HELP!. 🤦♂️😂👍
Swoon. Bang crash wallop as I hit the floor
SueP,
😂👍
My apologies, 6 points ahead. OOPS!.🤦♂️
Well, I hope we’re champions come may.
Well it looks like City 115 in the Final, as they are winning 3-0 up at halftime.