Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (4-2 agg): Gunners March to Wembley!
Mikel Arteta has done it again. In a masterclass of defensive discipline and tactical patience, Arsenal have secured their place in the 2026 Carabao Cup final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory
over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
The “Arteta Ball” philosophy was on full display as the Gunners successfully protected their first-leg lead, ultimately punishing a desperate Chelsea side in the dying moments to seal a 4-2 aggregate win.
Match Summary
The second leg was a cagey affair, defined by Arsenal’s resolute low block and Chelsea’s struggle to find a creative spark. Despite the Blues dominating possession (56%) and searching for an equalizer to level the aggregate score, they found no way through the defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
The breakthrough finally came in the 97th minute. With Chelsea committing almost every man forward for a last-ditch corner, Arsenal launched a devastating counter-attack. Declan Rice carried the ball half the length of the pitch before sliding a perfectly weighted pass to Kai Havertz. The former Chelsea man remained ice-cold, rounding Robert Sánchez to tuck the ball home and ignite pandemonium in North London.
Road to the Final
Arsenal’s journey to Wembley has been a statement of intent for a squad chasing a historic quadruple. After a breathless 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg—featuring goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyökeres, and Martín Zubimendi—this professional 1-0 home win confirms their first League Cup final appearance in eight years.
What’s Next?
The Gunners will head to Wembley on March 22, 2026, where they will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United for the first piece of silverware of the season.
Is this the year Arteta brings the Carabao Cup back to the Emirates? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
