Arsenal have reached the League Cup final for the first time in eight years after edging Chelsea 1-0 in Tuesday night’s semifinal second leg, sealing a 4-2 aggregate victory and ending a run of painful near-misses at this stage of the competition.
The Gunners arrived at the Emirates Stadium with a healthy advantage from the first leg and approached the return fixture with discipline and composure. Chelsea pushed for a way back into the tie, but Arsenal’s defensive organization held firm throughout a tense contest.
The decisive moment came late in the game when substitute Kai Havertz struck in stoppage time, punishing Chelsea on the counter-attack and extinguishing any remaining hope of a comeback. The goal capped a resilient performance from Mikel Arteta’s side and sent the home crowd into celebration.
The result carried added significance for Arsenal, who had suffered elimination in their previous four semifinal appearances across the Champions League, Europa League, and League Cup. This time, there was no late heartbreak.
Arsenal will now meet either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final at Wembley on March 22. City currently hold a commanding 2-0 lead over Newcastle heading into their second leg.
The club has not lifted the League Cup since 1993 and has gone without any silverware since winning the FA Cup in 2020. For Arteta, this final represents a major opportunity to end that drought after several seasons of progress without tangible rewards.
“We knew it would be a real battle,” Arteta said after the match. “The players showed great resilience and a clear understanding of what the game demanded. The atmosphere was incredible, and that energy really drives us forward.”
Arsenal’s recent performances have drawn criticism, particularly claims that they rely too heavily on set-pieces for goals. Arteta dismissed those suggestions, insisting his side remains one of the most entertaining teams in Europe.
The victory was made even more impressive by the absence of key players, including captain Martin Ødegaard and winger Bukayo Saka, both sidelined through injury. Chelsea, meanwhile, were unable to replicate the form they had shown under new manager Liam Rosenior, who had won six of his first seven matches since taking charge.
“I thought we controlled the areas we wanted to in the second half,” Rosenior said. “But we lacked that decisive moment, and that’s painful in a match of this magnitude.”
Chelsea began brightly and created early openings but failed to take their chances. A late attacking surge and a series of substitutions followed, yet it was Arsenal who delivered the final blow, with Havertz’s late strike confirming their place at Wembley.
For Arsenal, the wait is finally over. One more match now stands between them and a long-awaited piece of silverware.
