Carabao Cup/ Arsenal shake off semi-final Jinx with commanding Chelsea victory
Arsenal overcame a persistent semi-final hurdle by defeating Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. This victory marks a significant shift for Mikel Arteta’s side, which had failed to win a single leg in their previous four two-legged semi-finals.
Currently leading the Premier League and their Champions League group, Arsenal carried their confident form into the match but nearly let a commanding position slip.
After establishing a 1-3 lead and creating clear chances to extend it, a late Chelsea goal ensured a nervy finish.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised his team’s performance against “a really good opponent” but admitted the result “is not perfect,” wishing for a larger cushion ahead of the second leg at Emirates Stadium on February 3rd.
The night also delivered a welcome boost for striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish forward, who had struggled since his high-profile summer transfer, scored his first open-play goal since November and provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi. “That’s what I need to do and I can do it more often,” Gyokeres remarked post-match.
Despite conceding twice, Arsenal enter the return leg as strong favorites to reach their first major final since 2020, with a chance to lift the EFL Cup on March 22nd.
