With all eyes on north London on Tuesday night time, Arsenal clinched their first EFL Cup last ticket in eight years with a 4-2 combination victory over Chelsea.
Firmly within the driver’s seat after taking a 3-2 benefit within the first leg at Stamford Bridge on January 14, the Gunners took one other big leap in direction of attaining the enduring silverware sweep.
Possibilities might have been valuable right here as neither of the Premier League giants had been at their medical greatest within the last third, but it surely was the previous Chelsea star who returned to hassle his former team-mates.
Germany worldwide Kai Havertz scored in second-half stoppage time to formally finish the job for Mikel Arteta’s aspect, who will now play within the EFL Cup last for the primary time since dropping to arch-rivals Manchester Metropolis in 2018.
The Sky Blues are set to face Newcastle in Manchester of their second leg in 24 hours, and we might be hoping for a repeat of the blockbuster.
On an evening when Arsenal claimed native bragging rights and punched their ticket to Wembley, we check out among the key speaking factors from Emirates.
Arsenal take a giant leap in direction of home domination
Arteta, who was compelled to accept one other silver medal amongst England’s elite gamers final season and ended the 2024/25 marketing campaign with none silver medals, has spoken candidly concerning the strain he’s underneath this time.
However the Gunners, who’ve put apart final weekend’s minor Premier League fiasco with a frenetic 4-0 away win at Leeds, are concentrating on a symbolic home title in 2026.
Arsenal are virtually universally thought-about favorites for a landslide to assert their first Premier League crown since 2004, and have a fearsome fame throughout the continent.
Equally, Arsenal, who capped off their Champions League group stage journey with an action-packed 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty final week, are the one membership amongst Europe’s elite to boast a 100% file.
Returning to Wembley on Tuesday night time, Arteta’s camp took one other big leap in direction of one other record-breaker after successful the native heavyweight scalp.
Rosenior camp fails to make one other nice comeback
Chelsea, who missed an opportunity to take a decisive benefit within the first leg at Stamford Bridge on January 14 and in the end misplaced 3-2, all the time confronted a giant problem once they traveled to the capital on Tuesday night time.
Nevertheless, Chelsea shall be assured of dusting themselves off shortly, regardless of failing to tug off a sensational comeback with simply two photographs on track right here.
The Blues might have missed a chance to guide a visit to Wembley right here, however they’ll take loads of positives from a brilliant begin to life underneath new supervisor Liam Rosenior.
Rosenior was introduced as Enzo Maresca’s alternative at SW6 final month, and whereas it could have raised many eyebrows throughout the continent, the previous Strasbourg supervisor has made an instantaneous impression.
Having secured their place within the Champions League Spherical of 16 with an exhilarating 3-2 away win towards Italian giants Napoli final week, they are going to be assured of creating an instantaneous response forward of this weekend’s conflict with Wolves.
All eyes are actually on Etihad Airways
After ending work on Tuesday night time and overtaking their historic native rivals on the best way to Wembley, Arsenal’s consideration shall be targeted on the blue half of Manchester in 24 hours.
Josep Guardiola’s famous person aspect noticed their title goals take an enormous blow as Manchester Metropolis suffered one other high-profile failure within the Premier League as they had been compelled to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at Tottenham on the weekend.
Man Metropolis, who at the moment sit six factors behind the Gunners, will know that success within the EFL Cup might give them their most life like probability of successful the home title in 2026.
The previous England champions traveled to St James’s Park for the primary leg on January thirteenth and received 2-0, returning house with an amazing benefit.
However Arsenal shall be assured of getting some much-needed revenge after seeing the Gunners endure a routine 3-0 defeat once they final traveled to Wembley for the EFL Cup last towards Metropolis in February 2018.
Match report
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rais, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Gokeres
Sub: Trossard Havertz
Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Charova, Hato, Cucurella, Gusto, Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez, Pedro, Delap
Sub: Garnacho, Palmer, Estevao, Acheampong
the objective: Havertz (90+7′)
Yellow card: Gusto, Delap, Estevao
Crimson card: Not relevant
Referee: peter banks
