Arsenal edge past Chelsea to reach Carabao Cup final | OneFootball

Kai Havertz struck deep into stoppage time to settle a nervy night at the Emirates and send Arsenal through to the Carabao Cup final with a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea.

Protecting their first-leg advantage, Arsenal were happy to keep things tight in a scrappy, stop-start second leg that rarely caught fire.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with neither side willing to take risks. Chelsea created the first moment of danger when Liam Delap prodded narrowly wide, while Arsenal’s best chance of the half came via Piero Hincapie, whose fierce strike was beaten away by Robert Sanchez before Gabriel failed to capitalise on the loose ball.

The visitors stepped things up after the break, introducing Cole Palmer and shifting to a back four, but the Gunners remained disciplined and difficult to break down. Martin Zubimendi came close to killing the tie when he picked out Gabriel at the back post, only for Marc Cucurella to make a vital interception.

The Blues continued to push, with Palmer seeing a free-kick blocked and Wesley Fofana glancing wide from a corner, yet Arsenal held firm as the clock ticked into added time.

Then came the decisive moment. Chelsea committed bodies forward, Arsenal won it back, and a swift counter ended with Havertz racing through on goal. The German showed composure to round Sanchez and roll the ball home, sealing a 1-0 win on the night and sparking huge celebrations.

The final whistle confirmed Arsenal’s place at Wembley and their first appearance in a Carabao Cup final since 2018.

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

7':

Missed opportunity! Liam Delap from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it goes wide to the right.

27':

Missed opportunity! Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left after a corner kick.

46':

Missed opportunity! Liam Delap from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box, but it goes just wide to the left after a corner kick.

64':

Missed opportunity. Marc Cucurella from Chelsea takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area after a corner, but it goes over the bar.

65':

Missed opportunity. Enzo Fernández of Chelsea took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.

82':

Missed opportunity! Wesley Fofana from Chelsea took a right-footed shot from the left side of the six-yard box, but it went just wide to the left. He received assistance from Enzo Fernández, who delivered a cross after a corner kick.

88':

Missed opportunity. Wesley Fofana from Chelsea directed a header from the center of the penalty area, but it went wide to the left. The chance was created by Enzo Fernández, who delivered a cross after a set piece.

90':

Missed opportunity. Enzo Fernández from Chelsea took a right-footed shot from beyond the penalty area.

Arsenal takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Chelsea. Kai Havertz scores with a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box after a quick counterattack.

90 +7':

GOAL Arsenal: Kai Havertz (Arsenal) scores!

Kai Havertz scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches) Kai Havertz scores goal number 32 for his team (94 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match