Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (Arsenal win 4-2 agg): What Were The Main Talking Points As The Gunners Punch Their EFL Cup Final Ticket?

With all eyes falling on north London on Tuesday evening, Arsenal punched their first EFL Cup ultimate 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 can 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 scientific greatest within the ultimate 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 dwelling late in stoppage-time, Mikel Arteta’s aspect shall be making their first look in an EFL Cup ultimate 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, now we have taken a have a look at a number of the key speaking factors from the Emirates.

Arsenal take a large 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 out a 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.

Nonetheless, drawing a line beneath their minor Premier League blip over the weekend as they stormed their solution 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 considered a landslide favorite to get their palms on a primary Premier League crown since approach again in 2004, Arsenal have gained a fearsome repute 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% file.

Punching their return to Wembley on Tuesday evening 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 say an important first-leg benefit at Stamford Bridge on January 14th as they finally fell to a 3-2 loss, Chelsea have been all the time going through a serious problem after they travelled throughout the capital on Tuesday evening.

Nonetheless, regardless of mustering only a pair of photographs on course right here and failing to finish what would have been a sensational turnaround, Chelsea shall 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 shiny begin to life beneath 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 alternative 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 exciting 3-2 victory away at Italian giants Napoli, they need to be assured of claiming a right away response this weekend after they journey to Wolves.

All eyes now fall on the Etihad

Ending off the job on Tuesday evening 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 undergo one other high-profile Premier League blip over the weekend as they finally needed to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s celebrity squad noticed their title desires take a serious blow.

Now sat six factors adrift of the Gunners, Man Metropolis will know that EFL Cup success might be their most reasonable probability of lifting a bit of home silverware in 2026.

Securing a rugged 2-0 victory after they travelled to St. James’ Park for his or her first-leg battle on January thirteenth, the previous English champions return to dwelling soil holding a commanding benefit.

Nonetheless, watching the Gunners fall to a routine 3-0 drumming after they final travelled to Wembley for his or her EFL Cup ultimate showdown in opposition to Metropolis again in February 2018, Arsenal shall 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

Targets: Havertz (90+7’)

Yellow Playing cards: Gusto, Delap, Estevao

Pink Playing cards: N/A

Referee: Peter Bankes