Kai Havertz Haunts Chelsea as Arsenal Book Wembley Return

Arsenal are heading to Wembley Stadium for the first time in over six years after a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, sealing a 4–2 aggregate win.

Chelsea arrived at the Emirates in strong form, having won their previous five matches in all competitions. Their last defeat came in the first leg of this tie, a 3–2 loss away to Arsenal. The Gunners, meanwhile, continued an impressive run of consistency, having lost just once in their last 15 matches and remaining unbeaten against Chelsea since August 2021.

Mikel Arteta was forced to cope without key figures, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino. Chelsea were also depleted, missing Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens and Romeo Lavia.

The visitors began at a high tempo, with João Pedro, Liam Delap and Enzo Fernández leading an aggressive press that tested Arsenal’s build-up in the opening exchanges.

Arsenal carved out the first major opportunity in the 16th minute when Piero Hincapié unleashed a curling effort from the edge of the area, forcing a sharp save from Robert Sánchez.

Gabriel Martinelli then came agonisingly close to opening the scoring after a clever turn inside the six-yard box, only for Malo Gusto to recover superbly and block the effort at the last moment.

Chelsea’s best chance of the first half arrived late on, as Enzo Fernández struck from distance in the 42nd minute. The effort was comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, as the contest reached half-time goalless.

Half-time: Arsenal 0–0 Chelsea

The lack of cutting edge carried into the second half, with neither side able to establish sustained attacking momentum during the opening half-hour after the restart.

Arsenal again went closest when Gabriel rose unmarked from a set piece, only for Marc Cucurella to produce a heroic block with his head to keep the score level.

Tension rose in the 84th minute when Trevoh Chalobah made a perfectly timed sliding challenge on Martinelli inside the box. Arsenal appealed strongly for a penalty, but referee Peter Banks waved play on.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 97th minute, Arsenal absorbed late pressure before breaking quickly on the counter.

Declan Rice released Kai Havertz through on goal, and the former Chelsea forward kept his composure, rounding Sánchez and calmly slotting the ball into the net.

The goal sparked wild celebrations inside the Emirates and confirmed Arsenal’s passage to Wembley, where they will contest their first Carabao Cup final since 1993.