Arsenal fans walked out of the Emirates on Tuesday night with that rare mix of relief and excitement. Their team is finally heading back to a League Cup final, something that has felt out of reach for almost a decade. A late winner from Kai Havertz secured a 1-0 victory over rivals Chelsea, wrapping up a 4-2 aggregate semifinal and giving the Gunners a long overdue shot at silverware.
A night that felt bigger than the scoreline
For Mikel Arteta, this wasn’t just another victory. Arsenal have stumbled at the semifinal hurdle four times since 2021, across European and domestic competitions, and the frustration has weighed heavily on the club’s narrative. Tuesday night felt like a reset. A moment to finally step out of that cycle.
The match itself wasn’t a classic. Arsenal were missing key players, including captain Martin Ødegaard and winger Bukayo Saka, and the rain at the Emirates turned the first half into a scrappy battle. Chelsea’s setup clogged the midfield, slowing down the game and forcing Arsenal to grind for every inch.
But there was a sense of maturity in how Arteta’s side managed the occasion. They didn’t panic. They stayed organised. And when the chance came, they struck.
Havertz settles it at the death
Havertz came off the bench to deliver the decisive moment deep into stoppage time, rounding Chelsea keeper Robert Sánchez before sliding the ball into an empty net. It was a counterattack born out of Chelsea’s desperation to level the tie.
That strike didn’t only end the match. It felt like it ended an era of near-misses for Arsenal.
Chelsea’s new boss meets a reality check
On the opposite side, new manager Liam Rosenior suffered only his second defeat since arriving at Stamford Bridge from RC Strasbourg Alsace. Both losses came at the hands of Arsenal.
Chelsea improved noticeably in the second half, especially after Rosenior abandoned his three-centre-back system and introduced the lively Cole Palmer and teenage star Estevão Willian. There were half-chances, long-range efforts and moments that gave the travelling fans hope, but no breakthrough.
Arsenal’s bigger picture
This result forms part of a bigger season narrative for the Gunners. Arsenal are currently six points clear in the Premier League and cruised through the Champions League group stage with a perfect record. For a club that has been ridiculed in recent weeks for scoring too many goals from set-pieces, this was a reminder that results are what truly matter.
Arteta has even spoken about keeping a “massive book” of people who think Arsenal are the most exciting side in Europe. Tuesday’s gritty performance may not have made any new converts, but it certainly pushed his team closer to a trophy that has eluded them since 1993.
Wembley awaits
Arsenal will return to Wembley on 22 March, where they will face either reigning champions Manchester City or the ambitious Newcastle United. City hold a 2-0 advantage heading into their second leg, but knockout football has a way of surprising even the biggest clubs.
Regardless of the opponent, Arsenal will feel they’ve earned their place. Not through flair alone, but through the kind of resilience their supporters have been desperate to see.
If Arteta’s men can lift the cup next month, it will mark the club’s first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup and could become the spark that fuels a defining season.
For more sports news and updates check out: soccermag and africapicks
Source: SuperSport
Featured Image Source: Alimo Philip on X
