Chelsea 2 - 3 Arsenal: Arsenal Edge Thrilling Semi-final First leg Against Chelsea

Arsenal claimed a dramatic 3–2 victory away to Chelsea in a thrilling Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, putting themselves in a strong position ahead of the return fixture and boosting their hopes of reaching Wembley.

Arsenal made a dream start, opening the scoring in the seventh minute from their first corner. Declan Rice delivered a sublime whipped ball that was met by Ben White, who nodded home his first goal of the season. Poor Chelsea marking once again highlighted Arsenal’s continued dominance from set pieces.

The hosts slowly grew into the game after falling behind but struggled to create anything of real significance, lacking cutting edge in the final third. Arsenal, meanwhile, controlled long spells of possession and had opportunities to extend their lead, though they were unable to fully capitalise before the break.

The visitors started the second half strongly and doubled their advantage in the 49th minute. Bukayo Saka played White in down the right on the overlap, and his low cross was spilled by Robert Sánchez despite getting two hands to it.

Viktor Gyökeres reacted quickest, sliding the ball over the line from close range to end his personal goal drought and give Arsenal a commanding two-goal cushion.

Chelsea responded swiftly. In the 57th minute, substitute Alejandro Garnacho scored with his first touches of the game.

Pedro Neto delivered a delicate cross from the right, which evaded Enzo Fernández, allowing Garnacho to control at the back post and fire through the legs of Kepa Arrizabalaga to give Chelsea a lifeline.

Despite conceding, Arsenal continued to push forward and regained control of the tie with a superb third goal. Mikel Merino fed Gyökeres, who cleverly played in Martín Zubimendi. Zubimendi drove inside past a couple of defenders before thumping a finish past Sánchez from 12 yards. Arsenal came close to adding a fourth when Gabriel Magalhães rose highest from another corner, only to see his header drift just over the bar.

Chelsea were handed another lifeline in the 83rd minute. A corner was flicked into the path of Garnacho, who had plenty to do but brilliantly half-volleyed the ball into the ground, beating Kepa to make it 3–2. Garnacho made a significant impact off the bench, continuing his impressive scoring form as a substitute. Credit must be given to Chelsea’s resilience, though there was a sense Arsenal could have preserved their two-goal advantage more comfortably.

Gyökeres finished the night with a goal and an assist and was deservedly named man of the match, playing a decisive role in Arsenal’s attacking play throughout.

Chelsea will travel to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg on 3 February, needing to overturn a narrow deficit against an unbeaten Arsenal side at home. While the tie remains open, Arteta may feel his side had chances to put the semi-final firmly to bed in the first leg.