Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup final on Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026, after a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium that secured a 4-2 aggregate win. Kai Havertz, a former Chelsea forward, rounded goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and finished deep into second-half stoppage time to settle the tie. The result sends Arsenal to Wembley next month, where they will await the winner of Manchester City v Newcastle United on March 22.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal advanced to the Carabao Cup final with a 1-0 home win on Feb 3, 2026 and a 4-2 aggregate score over Chelsea.
- Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in second-half stoppage time after rounding goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, clinching Arsenal’s place at Wembley.
- Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, deployed a compact defensive setup that limited Arsenal to few clear chances for long periods.
- Piero Hincapié produced Arsenal’s only first-half shot on target, forcing a notable save from Sánchez in the 18th minute.
- Arsenal are enjoying a strong season: they lead the Premier League by six points, posted eight straight wins in the Champions League group stage, and reached the FA Cup fourth round.
- Arsenal seek a third League Cup triumph, having won in 1987 and 1993 and finished runners-up six times most recently in 2018.
Background
The two clubs met in a two-legged semifinal after an eventful first leg at Stamford Bridge last month, a match described as a goal-filled encounter. Arsenal entered the return leg with the slender aggregate lead and the psychological advantage of controlling the tie’s tempo at the Emirates. Chelsea, under Liam Rosenior, arrived having recorded five straight wins in all competitions and adopted a conservative, defensive approach to protect their opening-leg advantage. The Carabao Cup remains one of the few domestic knockout trophies available this season, and for Arsenal it represents a chance to add silverware in a campaign that has already shown sustained promise.
Arsenal have not contested a major final since the 2020 FA Cup, Arteta’s first season, making this appearance their first significant final in six years. The club’s domestic history in the League Cup includes two titles and six runner-up finishes, underlining both pedigree and past near-misses. Chelsea’s recent turbulence off the pitch and changes in personnel had raised questions about consistency, but Rosenior’s initial run of form suggested an upturn. For supporters and club hierarchy alike, the tie carried broader implications about squad depth, set-piece proficiency, and readiness for decisive moments late in tight matches.
Main Event
The match unfolded as a cagey contest for long stretches, with Chelsea’s five-man defensive spread frustrating Arsenal’s usual fluid attack. Arsenal threatened from distance when Piero Hincapié forced Sánchez into a save after 18 minutes, the best early moment for the hosts. Chelsea countered by crowding Arsenal’s set-piece routines — each corner saw three Blues players pushed forward to disrupt Arsenal’s usual aerial edge, blunting a previously reliable source of goals for the home side.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, the former Chelsea goalkeeper, made a strong intervention before half-time when he punched clear an Enzo Fernández effort from range, keeping the score level in a match of limited openings. The second half saw Chelsea introduce Cole Palmer and Estêvão around the hour mark as they chased the aggregate parity, prompting a handful of attempts from distance by Fernández and Marc Cucurella that failed to trouble the target. Arsenal looked a touch nervous at times; Declan Rice was visibly organizing teammates and calming fans as the clock wound down.
With 14 minutes remaining, Gabriel had a headed chance from Martin Zubimendi’s cross that was diverted away by Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana flicked a corner narrowly past Kepa’s near post for Chelsea. Fernández later dragged an effort high and wide in the 90th minute as the visitors continued to probe but seldom fashioned a clear-cut opportunity. Then, deep into stoppage time, Havertz collected a pass from Declan Rice, took a composed touch, rounded Sánchez and slotted home to spark late celebration and seal passage to Wembley.
Analysis & Implications
Havertz’s late intervention underscores how fine margins decide knockout football; despite Arsenal’s stronger season form overall, Chelsea’s defensive game plan nearly sufficed to force extra time. Tactically, Rosenior’s five-across approach succeeded in reducing Arsenal’s typical chance volume, particularly from set pieces, forcing the hosts to manufacture openings through patience and movement rather than aerial dominance. Arsenal’s inability to convert several promising moments before stoppage time highlights a reliance on individual composure in decisive moments, a habit that can be both strength and vulnerability in later rounds.
For Arsenal, the win consolidates momentum across competitions: a six-point Premier League lead and an unbeaten run in the Champions League group stage suggest the squad is balancing multiple fronts effectively. Adding a League Cup trophy would be meaningful both for silverware and for sustaining winning mentality as the season progresses toward March and April fixtures. Chelsea, meanwhile, will take encouragement from a defensively disciplined outing but must address the lack of clear offensive penetration, especially given the margin for error in knockout ties.
The upcoming final, likely against Manchester City if the first-leg advantage holds, presents an elevated test; City led 2-0 going into the second leg of their semifinal with Newcastle and remain favorites. Arsenal will face questions about rotation, injury management and in-game adaptability, while Chelsea’s season trajectory will be judged on whether Rosenior can translate defensive solidity into more frequent scoring chances.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Arsenal (season) | Chelsea (semifinal) |
|---|---|---|
| Carabao Cup aggregate | 4-2 vs Chelsea | 2-4 vs Arsenal |
| League Cup titles | 2 (1987, 1993) | Multiple |
| Premier League position | Leaders by 6 points | Mid-table / rebuilding |
| Champions League | Top of group after 8 straight wins | N/A |
The table above places the Carabao Cup result in the context of both clubs’ broader seasonal metrics. Arsenal’s statistical profile this season blends domestic league dominance with European consistency, whereas Chelsea’s cup performance showed defensive resilience but fewer attacking returns. Historical League Cup data highlights Arsenal’s long history in the competition and underlines how a win would close a long gap since their last major domestic triumph in 2020.
Reactions & Quotes
Arsenal will face the winners of Manchester City and Newcastle United on March 22 at Wembley.
Carabao Cup / EFL (official)
We limited Arsenal for long periods but could not find the crucial goal to take this to extra time.
Liam Rosenior (Chelsea manager, post-match)
Kai Havertz’s finish proved decisive and spoke to the margin that separates progression from elimination in cup football.
Match report summary (media)
Unconfirmed
- Detailed injury or disciplinary follow-up from the match has not been independently verified beyond official substitution records.
- Specific first-leg possession and expected-goals figures require access to the respective statistical feeds for confirmation.
Bottom Line
Arsenal progressed to their first major final in six years thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time strike by Kai Havertz, but the tie revealed both strengths and areas for improvement. Chelsea’s defensive game plan nearly held, exposing Arsenal’s occasional bluntness from set pieces and sustained build-up play. The result keeps Arsenal on course for a season that already includes a strong Premier League position and Champions League momentum, while the March 22 final now presents a high-profile test against elite opposition.
For Chelsea, the performance offers defensive credibility to build on, yet the club must convert resilience into greater attacking threat if it hopes to challenge on multiple fronts. Fans and analysts will now turn attention to the other semifinal and to squad management choices that will shape both clubs’ fortunes as the season enters its critical months.