With all eyes falling on north London on Tuesday night time, Arsenal punched their first EFL Cup last ticket in eight years as they secured a 4-2 combination victory in opposition to Chelsea.
Sat firmly within the driving seat after claiming a 3-2 first-leg benefit at Stamford Bridge on January 14th, the Gunners have taken one other large leap in the direction of finishing what could be an iconic silverware sweep.
Whereas possibilities might need come at a premium right here as each of the Premier League giants failed to seek out their medical finest within the last third, it was an ex-Chelsea star who got here again to hang-out his former teammates.
Formally finishing the job as German worldwide Kai Havertz tapped residence late in stoppage-time, Mikel Arteta’s aspect will likely be making their first look in an EFL Cup last since they misplaced to bitter rivals Manchester Metropolis again in 2018.
With the Sky Blues set to welcome Newcastle to Manchester for his or her respective second-leg showdown in 24 hours time, we might be set for a blockbuster repeat.
On an evening when Arsenal claimed native bragging rights and punched their ticket to Wembley, we’ve got taken a take a look at a number of the key speaking factors from the Emirates.
Arsenal take an enormous leap in the direction of a home sweep
Compelled to accept one other silver medal end amongst England’s elite final season and signing off the 2024/25 marketing campaign with no single piece of silverware to indicate for his or her troubles, Arteta was open in regards to the strain that he had on his shoulders this time round.
Nevertheless, drawing a line underneath their minor Premier League blip over the weekend as they stormed their technique to an empathic 4-0 romp away at Leeds, the Gunners have their sights set on finishing an iconic home silverware sweep in 2026.
Now virtually universally thought to be a landslide favorite to get their palms on a primary Premier League crown since means again in 2004, Arsenal have gained a fearsome popularity from throughout the continent.
Likewise, signing off their Champions League group stage journey with an action-packed 3-2 win in opposition to Kairat Almaty final week, Arsenal are the one membership from throughout Europe’s elite who can boast a 100% document.
Punching their return to Wembley on Tuesday night time and claiming a heavyweight native scalp, Arteta’s camp have taken one other large leap in the direction of shattering much more data.
Rosenior’s camp fail to mount one other stellar comeback
Lacking out on the prospect to assert an important first-leg benefit at Stamford Bridge on January 14th as they ultimately fell to a 3-2 loss, Chelsea had been all the time dealing with a significant problem once they travelled throughout the capital on Tuesday night time.
Nevertheless, regardless of mustering only a pair of pictures on track right here and failing to finish what would have been a sensational turnaround, Chelsea will likely be assured of instantly dusting themselves down.
Though the Blues would possibly missed out on the chance to e book a visit to Wembley right here, they’ll take loads of positives away from what has been a brilliant begin to life underneath new boss Liam Rosenior.
Whereas there might need been loads of raised eyebrows throughout the continent final month as Rosenior was introduced as Enzo Maresca’s substitute in SW6, the previous Strasbourg supervisor has made a right away influence.
Reserving their respective Champions League Spherical of 16 spot final week as they secured an exhilarating 3-2 victory away at Italian giants Napoli, they need to be assured of claiming a right away response this weekend once they journey to Wolves.
All eyes now fall on the Etihad
Ending off the job on Tuesday night time and edging previous their historic native rivals en path to Wembley, all of Arsenal’s consideration will now fall on the blue half of Manchester in 24 hours time.
Watching Manchester Metropolis endure one other high-profile Premier League blip over the weekend as they ultimately needed to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s celebrity squad noticed their title desires take a significant blow.
Now sat six factors adrift of the Gunners, Man Metropolis will know that EFL Cup success might be their most lifelike likelihood of lifting a bit of home silverware in 2026.
Securing a rugged 2-0 victory once they travelled to St. James’ Park for his or her first-leg battle on January thirteenth, the previous English champions return to residence soil holding a commanding benefit.
Nevertheless, watching the Gunners fall to a routine 3-0 drumming once they final travelled to Wembley for his or her EFL Cup last showdown in opposition to Metropolis again in February 2018, Arsenal will likely be assured of claiming some long-anticipated revenge.
Match Report
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Subs: Havertz, Trossard
Chelsea: Sanchez, Fofana, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Gusto, Caicedo, Santos, Fernandez, Pedro, Delap
Subs: Garnacho, Palmer, Estevao, Acheampong
Objectives: Havertz (90+7’)
Yellow Playing cards: Gusto, Delap, Estevao
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Peter Bankes