Arsenal prevailed 4-2 on aggregate against Chelsea to reach the 2025-26 Carabao Cup Final, after Kai Havertz netted a 97th-minute winner in a 1-0 semi-final second-leg victory at Emirates Stadium.
A scrappy game saw Arsenal nullify Chelsea until Havertz slotted in a 97th-minute winner – against his former team – from Declan Rice’s cross on a quick counter-attack to secure their place in the final.
Speaking to UK broadcaster, ITV1 post-match, Rice praised Chelsea for their improvement under their manager, Liam Rosenoir who took charge in early January following Enzo Maresca’s sacking.
“Credit to Chelsea to be fair. Since their new manager has come in they’ve been really, really good.
“They changed the formation tonight and gave us problems. On another night they could have scored but credit where it is due, our defence was incredible.”
Rice proceeded to applaud his teammates for their resilient performance as he continued: “We have a group who really want it. Whatever team comes at us, we’re ready for it. When you play a team like Chelsea they throw so many things at you physically and mentally.
“You’ve got to have that resilience to stay strong and keep going.
“We deserve it. The last three or four years we’ve been at the top of the Premier League competing and got really close but haven’t been good enough.
“That’s why this season we have that extra desire and fire in our bellies to go one step further in every competition. There’s a long way to go but to be a cup final with this club is amazing.”
Arsenal now await the winner of Manchester City’s semi-final tie against Newcastle in the Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22 March at 4:30pm GMT.
With Arsenal having gained a 3-2 aggregate lead in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, it was unsurprising that they sat back and soaked up Chelsea’s attacking pressure as the Blues struggled to create much quality.
Liam Delap however almost punished a fumbled touch from William Saliba in the seventh minute which fell his way, but the 22-year-old dragged his shot wide of his near-right corner.
Arsenal’s first notable attacking chance came in the 17th minute after Piero Hincapie curled a shot towards the top-left corner, yet Robert Sanchez’s scruffy punch deflected wide off Gabriel’s legs before the Brazilian could get a meaningful shot on goal.
Chelsea continued to push hard for the opener to restore parity on aggregate as Trevoh Chalobah fired wide from a 27th-minute rebound shot, whilst Gusto recovered from being outran by Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli onto a 34th minute long ball to squeeze the Brazilian whose shot was straight into Sanchez’s arms.
Enzo Fernandez then saw a 43rd-minute right-footed shot saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga as Arsenal protected their aggregate lead until half time.
Arsenal subsequently showed more urgency early in the second half as Noni Madueke saw a 57th-minute curled shot saved by Sanchez.
Marc Cucurella and Fernandez curled quick-fire shots over the bar as Chelsea soon resumed control of the attacking play but Arsenal continued to hold firm.
The Gunners’ resilience nearly paid off from a 77th-minute free-kick which was played short and crossed over by Martin Zubimendi to Gabriel, but the Brazilian’s header was cleared by Cucurella.
Chelsea subsequently won a free-kick which was deflected behind but via Kai Havertz’s left shoulder blade rather than arm on quick review by Video-Assistant Referee (VAR), before Wesley Fofana flicked Fernandez’s corner delivery wide of the near-left corner.
Chalobah then clipped Martinelli in the 84th minute just outside of the box as he slid in to clear a pass towards the Brazilian, but Martinelli landed inside the penalty box which led VAR to rule out a penalty after he swiftly appealed for a spot kick to referee – Peter Bankes.
Arsenal eventually dug deep to see the game out to secure their first cup final appearance at Wembley Stadium since they won the 2019-20 FA Cup in August 2020, which was confirmed in the 97th minute after Rice broke forward and played a cross across for Havertz to slot in on the counter attack round Sanchez.
What’s Next?
Arsenal turn their attention back to their hunt for the Premier League title in another home match, as they host Sunderland on Saturday 7 February at 3pm GMT.
Chelsea will too be in league action at the same time on that date as they visit rock-bottom Wolves at Molineux.
Teams
Arsenal: Kepa Arrizabalga, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke (Trossard 69′), Viktor Gyokeres (Havertz 69′), Gabriel Martinelli
Substitutes: Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera, David Raya, Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus
Chelsea: Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Jorrel Hato (Estevao 61′), Malo Gusto (Acheampong 87′), Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos (Garnacho 75′), Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, Liam Delap (Palmer 61′), Joao Pedro
Substitutes: Josh Acheampong, Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu, Jorrel Hato, Charlie Holland, Shim Mheuka, Benoit Badiashile, Cole Palmer, Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Referee – Peter Bankes
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