Arsenal reach Carabao Cup final as Arteta’s Plan B pays off

Arsenal finally ended their Carabao Cup semi-final hoodoo as a narrow 1–0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium sealed a 4–2 aggregate victory and booked a long awaited return to Wembley.

Kai Havertz’s late strike in the 97th minute put the tie beyond doubt, capping a disciplined display from Mikel Arteta’s side and keeping alive hopes of silverware in a season that remains active across multiple fronts.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Havertz calmly rounded Robert Sánchez and rolled the ball into an empty net, sparking a release of tension inside the Emirates after a nervy second leg.

It proved to be the breakthrough Arsenal needed to end a run of four consecutive semi-final defeats. Over two legs, Arteta’s side showed greater control and composure than in previous near-misses, managing the tie rather than chasing it.

Arsenal will now face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on 22 March at Wembley. It will be their first final in front of supporters since the 2018 Carabao Cup, with the 2020 FA Cup triumph coming behind closed doors.

While not a classic, the performance carried significance beyond the scoreline. Arsenal restricted Chelsea to just two shots on target and rarely looked under genuine threat, a marked improvement on recent matches where defensive lapses had invited pressure.

With the tie finely balanced for almost the entire contest, both players and supporters responded calmly. There were no anxious groans from the stands, no visible panic on the pitch. Arsenal held their shape, controlled territory, and saw the game out professionally.

As the pressure intensifies across league and cup competitions, this kind of controlled knockout performance could prove just as valuable as a more flamboyant display.

Chelsea’s decision to operate with a back three and a notably high defensive line limited Arsenal’s ability to build through midfield. Progression was often slow, and pressing traps disrupted their usual rhythm.

Instead, Arsenal adapted. Direct vertical passes over the top became a deliberate feature, particularly targeting Gabriel Martinelli’s pace in behind. Declan Rice, in particular, looked keen to bypass the press early rather than recycle possession.

It was a departure from Arteta’s preferred approach, but one that ultimately paid off. When space finally opened late on, Arsenal broke decisively — a reminder that flexibility, not purity, often defines success in knockout football.

Arsenal now prepare for the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on 22 March, where they will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United. Victory would deliver their first trophy since 2020 and provide momentum heading into the decisive stages of the Premier League and European campaigns. Much will depend on squad management and maintaining defensive solidity as the fixture load intensifies.

Was this pragmatic Arsenal performance a sign of maturity — or will Arteta need more attacking fluency to lift silverware at Wembley?