With all eyes falling on north London on Tuesday evening, Arsenal punched their first EFL Cup closing ticket in eight years as they secured a 4-2 mixture victory towards 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 may need come at a premium right here as each of the Premier League giants failed to search out their medical finest within the closing 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 closing 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 may very well be set for a blockbuster repeat.
On an evening when Arsenal claimed native bragging rights and punched their ticket to Wembley, we’ve taken a take a look at a few 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 no single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles, Arteta was open concerning the stress 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 approach 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 fingers 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 towards 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 assert a vital first-leg benefit at Stamford Bridge on January 14th as they ultimately fell to a 3-2 loss, Chelsea had been at all times going through a serious problem after they travelled throughout the capital on Tuesday evening.
Nevertheless, regardless of mustering only a pair of photographs 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 ebook a visit to Wembley right here, they’ll take loads of positives away from what has been a vibrant begin to life underneath new boss Liam Rosenior.
Whereas there may 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 impression.
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 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 ultimately needed to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s famous person squad noticed their title goals take a serious blow.
Now sat six factors adrift of the Gunners, Man Metropolis will know that EFL Cup success may very well be their most life like 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 residence soil holding a commanding benefit.
Nevertheless, watching the Gunners fall to a routine 3-0 drumming after they final travelled to Wembley for his or her EFL Cup closing showdown towards 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
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Peter Bankes
