A tense, back-and-forth Carabao Cup semi-final concluded with a 3-2 victory for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, leaving Chelsea with a fighting chance despite the setback.
The Gunners struck early, seizing the lead within seven minutes when Ben White powerfully headed home a corner kick, leaving the Chelsea goalkeeper struggling to react.
Chelsea’s woes deepened shortly after halftime. A low, driven cross proved too much for the keeper, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to capitalize on the fumble and extend Arsenal’s advantage.
Just as the home crowd began to despair, substitute Alejandro Garnacho ignited a spark. He expertly finished a chance, injecting renewed energy into Chelsea’s attack.
However, Arsenal quickly reasserted control. Martin Zubimendi unleashed a precise strike, restoring the two-goal cushion and silencing the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Garnacho refused to let Chelsea’s hopes fade. He emerged as a late hero, finding the back of the net from a corner as the opposing goalkeeper misjudged the flight of the ball.
The tie remains delicately poised heading to the Emirates next month. While Arsenal holds a clear advantage, Garnacho’s late goals have ensured Chelsea’s continued participation in the battle.
A controversial moment late in the match saw Gabriel Jesus go down in the box, initially appearing to win a penalty. However, a subsequent offside call nullified the decision, adding to the drama.
The match was a physical affair, punctuated by eight yellow cards and a heated exchange after the final whistle. Tensions flared as players from both sides confronted each other.
Chelsea’s manager, in his first match at Stamford Bridge, was forced to intervene, physically separating captain Enzo Fernandez from the escalating conflict.
Arsenal’s Ben White expressed frustration with his team’s second-half performance, acknowledging they allowed Chelsea to gain momentum and fall short of their own standards.
The rematch is scheduled for February 3rd in north London, promising another captivating chapter in this fiercely contested cup tie.
