Arsenal’s long-running struggles at the semi-final stage are not yet consigned to history, but Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge suggested a clear shift in narrative. A hard-fought 3–2 victory over Chelsea has placed Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in control of their Carabao Cup tie and left them one match away from a first final in the competition for eight years.
The context made the result all the more significant. Under Arteta, Arsenal had previously contested four two-legged semi-finals, failing to win a single match, losing six times and scoring only twice. Against that backdrop, this performance carried weight far beyond the immediate scoreline.
Goals Summary
Ben White – 8th minute – Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres – 50th minute – Arsenal
Alejandro Garnacho – 58th minute – Chelsea
Martin Zubimendi – 71st minute – Arsenal
Alejandro Garnacho – 84th minute – Chelsea
Arsenal imposed themselves from the outset and were rewarded early. In the 8th minute, Ben White found himself completely unmarked from a corner and headed into an empty net after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez misjudged the flight of the ball. It was a disastrous moment for Chelsea and a familiar sign of Arsenal’s growing authority from set pieces.
That control resurfaced immediately after the break. Just five minutes into the second half, another costly error from Sánchez proved decisive. His failure to deal with a low cross allowed Viktor Gyökeres to score from close range in the 50th minute, doubling Arsenal’s advantage and giving the striker his first open-play goal in weeks.
Chelsea briefly wrestled back momentum when substitute Alejandro Garnacho finished clinically in the 58th minute, injecting belief into the home crowd. However, Arsenal responded with their most polished move of the night. A flowing attack ended with Gyökeres holding off defenders and sliding a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Martin Zubimendi, who calmly created space and finished with precision in the 71st minute.
Arteta’s reaction on the touchline reflected both joy and disbelief, as Arsenal once again threatened to pull clear. Yet the visitors failed to fully shut the game down. A lapse from a corner allowed Garnacho to strike again in the 84th minute, ensuring Chelsea carry some hope into the second leg.
Despite that late concession, Arsenal remain in a commanding position. They have now won every match this season in which they have taken the lead, a statistic that underlines their growing maturity. This was also their 32nd match of the campaign, with only two defeats across all competitions, both coming away from home in the league.
Gyökeres’ contribution stood out not just for the goal, but for his overall influence. His assist for Zubimendi and relentless work rate suggested a forward rediscovering confidence at a critical stage of the season. With Arsenal currently leading both the Premier League and their Champions League group, progress to a domestic final could provide the psychological lift they have previously lacked.
Chelsea, meanwhile, showed resilience amid adversity and selection issues, but defensive errors left them with too much to do. The tie remains alive, yet Arsenal will return to the Emirates knowing that history — and momentum — is finally leaning in their favour.
