Arsenal manage tense Chelsea test to book place at Wembley | OneFootball

Arsenal edge past Chelsea to reach Wembley

Relief arrived before celebration at the Emirates. When the final whistle confirmed Arsenal’s passage to the Carabao Cup final, the dominant emotion was release rather than rapture. This was not a night of fluency or authority, but it was a night of progress, and that mattered more. Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea, sealing a 4-2 aggregate victory, ended a run of four straight semi final exits and nudged Mikel Arteta’s side back towards Wembley, a place that still carries emotional weight in north London.

Chelsea arrived with intent to unsettle, knowing Arsenal’s recent history and the faint nervousness that lingers around unfinished business. For long periods, they succeeded. Arsenal managed the game carefully, sometimes cautiously, keeping Chelsea at arm’s length without ever fully imposing themselves.

Semi final tension shapes the night

The tie never quite settled. Chelsea’s altered shape and energetic pressing disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm, particularly in a first half that felt heavy with consequence. William Saliba’s early error offered Liam Delap a sight of goal, while Enzo Fernández tested Kepa Arrizabalaga from distance. Arsenal responded sporadically, Piero Hincapie forcing a strong save from Robert Sánchez after a corner, but momentum remained elusive.

With Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka absent, Arsenal lacked some of their usual control between the lines. The ball moved side to side rather than forward, and the home crowd, vocal at kick off, grew increasingly tense as Chelsea found moments of encouragement.

Chelsea changes increase pressure

The second half followed a similar pattern until Liam Rosenior altered the balance. Cole Palmer’s introduction, alongside a switch to a back four, gave Chelsea greater threat and purpose. Chances followed. Marc Cucurella and Estévâo both went close, and Wesley Fofana’s late volley from a corner was a genuine moment of alarm for Arsenal.

There was controversy too, with Chelsea appeals for handball against Kai Havertz waved away. Arsenal, meanwhile, missed chances to finish the tie earlier, Gabriel seeing a close range header blocked when the goal appeared open.

Havertz delivers decisive moment

The resolution came in injury time, fittingly through a figure who understands both clubs. Introduced from the bench, Havertz provided the clarity the game had lacked. Racing through, he rounded Sánchez and rolled the ball into an empty net, a composed act that finally loosened the tension inside the stadium.

For Arsenal, this was about outcome rather than performance. They are heading to Wembley, with the chance to end a long wait for silverware and to add substance to a season built on consistency rather than spectacle. Chelsea depart frustrated but competitive, having pushed Arsenal deep into discomfort. On this night, though, Arsenal endured, and that proved enough.