Arsenal seal EFL Cup final spot with gritty win over Chelsea
Arsenal booked their place in the EFL Cup final at Wembley after edging past Chelsea with a 1-0 victory on the night, completing a 4-2 aggregate win in the semi-final second leg.
It was far from a spectacle, but it was a performance defined by discipline, defensive resilience, and efficiency – qualities that ultimately carried Mikel Arteta’s side through.
The opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of excitement, reflecting the cautious approach adopted by both sides. Chelsea set up in a compact 3-5-2 formation, prioritising defensive solidity and aiming to keep Arsenal at arm’s length.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium. Piero Hincapié forced a smart save from Robert Sánchez, while Enzo Fernández tested the Arsenal goalkeeper at the other end. However, neither side managed to gain real momentum, with expected goals telling the story—Chelsea 0.16, Arsenal 0.18 by the interval.
Referee Peter Bankes blew for half-time with the tie finely poised, Arsenal still holding a narrow aggregate advantage.
Chelsea remained patient after the restart, sticking to their plan of staying in the contest before unleashing attacking reinforcements later on. While the Blues were organised and difficult to break down, their lack of creativity in the final third proved costly.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were content to control the tempo, protecting their lead with composure and denying Chelsea space between the lines. The Gunners’ backline stood tall, repelling crosses and snuffing out danger before it could develop.
As the game drifted towards a goalless draw, it appeared Arsenal would progress without adding to the scoreline.
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Just when the contest seemed set to fizzle out, Kai Havertz struck late on the counter-attack, delivering the decisive moment of the match. The goal not only sealed the win on the night but also underlined Arsenal’s superiority across the two legs.
Despite Chelsea’s solid structure and late attacking changes, their plan failed to yield the breakthrough they needed.
Arsenal now advance to the EFL Cup final at Wembley, where they will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United. The victory keeps the Gunners firmly in contention for a remarkable quadruple and offers them a chance to lift the EFL Cup for the first time since 1993.
