Chelsea's Argentinian midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez wins a header during the English League Cup semi final second leg, football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, in London on February 3, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. /
Arsenal booked a place in the League Cup final for the first time in eight years after edging Chelsea 1-0 in Tuesday night’s semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Substitute Kai Havertz struck deep into stoppage time to seal the win, completing a controlled aggregate performance that underlined Mikel Arteta’s growing maturity in knockout football.
Having laid a solid foundation in the first leg, the Gunners were content to manage the contest for long spells despite missing key figures.
Captain Martin Ødegaard was sidelined by injury, while Bukayo Saka failed a late fitness test, yet Arsenal still found a way to grind out victory.
Chelsea, set up cautiously by manager Liam Rosenior, succeeded in disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The first half was scrappy and played under heavy rain, with both sides cancelling each other out.
Arsenal went closest when Piero Hincapie forced a save from Robert Sanchez, while Chelsea registered their first shot on target late in the half through Enzo Fernandez, comfortably dealt with by Kepa Arrizabalaga. Rosenior’s tactical switch to a back three initially frustrated the hosts, limiting space in midfield.
Chelsea showed more ambition after the break and introduced Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian just after the hour mark as they chased an equaliser.
There were brief moments of promise, including a curling effort from Fernandez that sailed over the bar, but Arsenal’s defensive discipline held firm as the visitors’ threat faded.
The decisive moment arrived in the dying seconds when Chelsea were caught pushing forward. Havertz pounced on a swift counter-attack, calmly rounding Sanchez before tapping into an empty net to spark celebrations in north London.
Arsenal will now face either Manchester City or Newcastle United at Wembley on March 22, as they look to end a League Cup drought dating back to 1993 and claim their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.
