Thanks to a goal from Kai Havertz in yesterday’s 1-0 semi-final second leg victory over Chelsea, Arsenal advanced to the League Cup final for the first time in eight years.
According to AFP, Mikel Arteta’s team took a commanding lead in the first leg, and substitute Havertz scored the game-winning goal in the dying seconds at the Emirates Stadium.
Following their elimination in the 2021 Europa League, 2022 League Cup, and 2025 Champions League semi-finals, the Gunners finally tasted victory, providing a much-needed emotional boost.
On March 22, Arsenal will play either Manchester City or Newcastle in their first final at Wembley in six years.
On Wednesday, the second leg will be played at the Etihad Stadium, where City will host Newcastle with a 2-0 lead.
Since 1993, Arsenal has failed to win the League Cup, losing each of their last three final attempts.
This is their chance to finally break their trophy drought, which dates back to the 2020 FA Cup.
Since being hired in December 2019, that is the only trophy that Arteta has won.
With a six-point lead in the Premier League and a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals secured after winning all eight of their group matches, Arsenal is having what seems like a historic season.
Arsenal have been successful, but some have said they are too dependent on set pieces and corners for goals.
This week, Arteta said that he has a “massive book of people” who think Arsenal are the “most exciting in Europe” and began a fervent defense of their style of play.
After leading Arsenal to Wembley, Arteta won’t worry that yesterday’s war of attrition won’t silence Arsenal’s detractors.
Since taking over for Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior has led Chelsea to six wins in seven matches across all competitions.
During his brief rule, Rosenior only managed two defeats at the hands of Arsenal, a team he was unable to solve.
Severe impact
Though they were missing captain Martin Odegaard (muscle trouble) and winger Bukayo Saka (injury in Saturday’s pre-match warm-up at Leeds), Arsenal still managed to scrape out a victory.
For the first time during his rule, Rosenior switched to a three-man central defense, leaving England attacker Cole Palmer on the bench.
Chelsea were able to contain Arsenal in the first half because to Rosenior’s strategies.
As Robert Sanchez palmed away Piero Hincapie’s curler from just inside the area, the Gunners momentarily let go of their chains.
Rosenior had to remove his wet spectacles to view the action in the first half due to the heavy rain.
Rosenior had a worrying view through the rain as Malo Gusto’s error allowed Gabriel Martinelli to go in before the Chelsea defender sprinted back to stop the shot.
Chelsea failed to register their first attempt on goal until the 43rd minute, when Kepa Arrizabalaga saved a long-range effort by Enzo Fernandez.
After a frustrating first half, Chelsea needed to score to take the lead. However, Liam Delap missed the target after attempting to head a corner just after halftime.
Palmer and Estevao Willian were substituted in for Rosenior’s starting three after an hour.
Even as Chelsea’s danger subsided, Estevao wasted no time setting up Fernandez for a curler that went wide.
After Chelsea were caught on the counter, Havertz scored the game-winning goal in the dying seconds of regulation time by dribbling past Sanchez and slotting the ball into an empty net.
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