7M - Kai Havertz Strikes Late to Send Arsenal to Carabao Cup Final

A dramatic stoppage-time goal from Kai Havertz secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates, sending Arsenal to the Carabao Cup final with a 4-2 aggregate triumph.

CAGEY FIRST HALF

Arsenal entered the match aiming to reach their first Carabao Cup final since 2018, having eliminated Chelsea in the semifinals that year. Opportunities were scarce in the opening quarter-hour, with Liam Delap’s mishit effort on a rain-drenched pitch marking the first notable attempt.

Chelsea, who had overturned first-leg deficits in three of their previous four EFL Cup semifinals, grew in confidence as the half progressed. Arsenal threatened from a series of corners, nearly breaking the deadlock when Piero Hincapie’s powerful left-footed strike was pushed away by Robert Sanchez. Gabriel Martinelli also came close after breaking clear, only for Malo Gusto to recover and block his goal-bound shot.

At the other end, Enzo Fernández forced a save from Kepa Arrizabalaga after being set up by Marc Cucurella, leaving the sides goalless at the break.

FRUSTRATION AFTER THE INTERVAL

The second half began with a scramble in the six-yard box following a corner, but Delap could only poke wide. Noni Madueke twice beat his marker down the flank, though his crosses failed to test the Arsenal defense.

As Chelsea introduced Cole Palmer and Estevão in search of a tying goal, Cucurella curled a cleared corner over the bar, setting up a tense final 25 minutes.

Arsenal responded with substitutions of their own, sending on Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz. Declan Rice later picked out Martin Zubimendi, whose floated cross found Gabriel Magalhães at the far post, only for Cucurella to clear the headed effort.

HAVERTZ SETTLES IT LATE

With rain still falling, Chelsea pushed forward in the closing stages. Palmer’s free-kick was blocked, and Wesley Fofana headed wide from the resulting corner as the match entered the final 10 minutes.

Arsenal then threatened on the break when Gabriel Martinelli went down under Trevoh Chalobah’s challenge, but penalty appeals were waved away. Deep into added time, as Chelsea committed numbers forward, Arsenal seized their moment: Trossard found Rice, who laid the ball across to an unmarked Havertz. The German calmly rounded Sanchez and slotted home, sealing a 1-0 win on the night and a place at Wembley for the first Carabao Cup final in eight years.

UP NEXT

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday, February 7, hosting Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium (3pm UK time). They then visit Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday, February 12 (8pm UK time).