Arsenal took a significant step towards a place at Wembley after edging Chelsea 3-2 in a frantic Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, where goalkeeping errors and set-piece dominance ultimately defined the contest.
In a match that showcased the disparity in confidence between the two London rivals, Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders secured a slender advantage to take back to the Emirates Stadium for the return leg on 3 February. While Alejandro Garnacho struck twice off the bench to keep the tie alive for the hosts, calamitous errors from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted Arsenal crucial goals.
Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, and Martin Zubimendi were on the scoresheet for the Gunners, who are now unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions. For Chelsea’s new head coach Liam Rosenior, however, a first home defeat highlights the magnitude of the task ahead as he attempts to steady a ship rocking from injuries and supporter unrest.
The visitors wasted little time in asserting their authority. In the seventh minute, Chelsea failed to clear a Declan Rice corner, with Sanchez missing his attempt to claim the ball. This allowed Ben White to head home from close range—Arsenal’s 24th set-piece goal of the season, a tally unmatched in Europe’s top five leagues.
Despite the early setback, the first half remained a tightly contested affair. Enzo Fernández and teenage sensation Estevão Willian forced saves for Chelsea, while Arsenal’s William Saliba and Gyokeres threatened at the other end.
Disaster struck for the hosts shortly after the interval. Sanchez allowed a speculative cross to squirm through his hands, presenting Swedish striker Gyokeres with the simplest of finishes to double Arsenal’s lead. It was a moment that seemed to sum up Chelsea’s recent fragility.
With his side trailing 2-0, Rosenior introduced Alejandro Garnacho, and the former Manchester United winger made an immediate impact. He reduced the deficit by guiding a Pedro Neto cross into the net, briefly restoring hope around Stamford Bridge.
That hope was extinguished moments later by a moment of individual brilliance from Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish midfielder shimmied past Andrey Santos and Wesley Fofana with ease before rifling a finish from just inside the box to restore the two-goal cushion.
Refusing to capitulate, Garnacho added a second goal late on, volleying home after a clearance from Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga fell kindly into his path. While late pressure from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhães nearly extended Arsenal’s lead further, the match ended 3-2, leaving the tie delicately poised.
This was the first genuine tactical examination for Liam Rosenior since replacing Enzo Maresca last week, and circumstances conspired against him. Already navigating an injury crisis that ruled out Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto, Rosenior lost Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens to illness before kick-off, while Moisés Caicedo served a suspension.
Despite these absences, there were glimpses of a coherent tactical identity. Rosenior deployed Wesley Fofana in a man-marking role on Martin Ødegaard, and the pressing triggers from Enzo Fernández showed promise.
However, the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge remains toxic. With supporters chanting the name of former owner Roman Abramovich and directing ire at the current hierarchy, Rosenior is fighting battles on multiple fronts. The goalkeeping situation, in particular, will be a priority; conceding soft goals in a semi-final is unsustainable for a club with silverware ambitions.
For Mikel Arteta, this victory was a testament to squad depth. The Arsenal manager made eight changes from the side that beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup, yet the spine of the team remained formidable.
The reintegration of Viktor Gyokeres, who scored from open play for the first time in 16 games, will be particularly pleasing for Arteta. Furthermore, the performance of the back four—White, Saliba, Magalhães, and Jurrien Timber—reaffirmed why Arsenal are currently setting the pace in English football.
While the League Cup is not the primary objective for a side chasing Premier League and Champions League glory, Arteta has spoken of the “nudge” a trophy would give his squad’s mentality. Having won their first individual semi-final match in nine attempts, Arsenal are now firm favourites to book their place at Wembley.
Chelsea must regroup quickly as they host Brentford in a West London derby in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 GMT), before a Champions League clash against Cypriot outfit Pafos.
Arsenal travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 GMT), followed by a heavyweight Champions League trip to Inter Milan on Tuesday.
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