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Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea [4-2 on aggregate]: Late Kai Havertz goal seals Gunners’ spot in Carabao Cup final in March
Chris Wilson Wednesday 04 February 2026 00:00 GMT- Bookmark
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Arsenal have sealed the first place in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final after Kai Havertz’s late goal secured a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea.
Both sides started slowly in a tense atmosphere at the Emirates, with neither team able to dominate possession or make their mark on a first half that contained barely any chances of note, with Piero Hincapie having a long-range effort saved and Malo Gusto recovering well to prevent Gabriel Martinelli firing in.
Each team was forced to start with more impetus in the second half but it hardly changed the state of the game, with Liam Rosenior’s side set up to nullify Arsenal but also offering precious little in attack themselves.
Even the introduction of Cole Palmer and Estevao failed to ignite a spark in the visitors and it played into Arsenal’s hands late on, with the visitors leaving themselves too much to do late on before a late Arsenal counter-attack saw Havertz and Martinelli race clean through.
And the German needed no invitation to round Robert Sanchez and tap in to give the Gunners the first final in what they hope might be a quadruple-winning campaign, with either Manchester City or Newcastle to come at Wembley in March.
Follow the latest updates and team news from the Emirates below:
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- Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in second leg of Carabao Cup semi-final to seal place in March's final
- 90 +7' GOAL! Havertz rounds Sanchez to seal tie [ARS 1-0 CHE, 4-2 agg]
- 77' CLOSE! Cucurella blocks Gabriel header [ARS 0-0 CHE, 3-2 agg]
- 34' CLOSE! Gusto dives in to prevent Martinelli goal [ARS 0-0 CHE, 3-2 agg]
How Chelsea’s dull and overthought tactics finally returned Arsenal to Wembley
A long-awaited return. Not just Arsenal's first cup final in six years but - perhaps more importantly to the wider season - another comeback goal from Kai Havertz. Many at the club see him as the difference.
He made the difference in an otherwise poor match, ending any late tension as he rounded Robert Sanchez in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory that was a 4-2 on aggregate, to secure a place in the Carabao Cup final.
Mikel Arteta’s side are right to happily celebrate that, in a season that could yet break through all manner of barriers. A second trophy of the Basque’s time, and the first for this specific group of players, is now within sight. They finally have a return to Wembley.
How Chelsea’s dull and overthought tactics finally returned Arsenal to Wembley
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (4-2 aggregate): Kai Havertz’s late strike secured the Gunners’ spot in the League Cup finalRead moreChris Wilson3 February 2026 22:31Inside the latest twists in a Premier League title race defined by volatility
The article below is an excerpt from my latest newsletter– which includes exclusive deadline day insights for Inside Football members and Independent Premium subscribers only. To read the rest and get my latest reporting, insight, and commentary delivered straight to your inbox, become a member here.
As opposition coaches analyse Manchester City, they believe they have seen something shift. It may even fit with the volatility of the Premier League right now.
Put simply – and unlike for much of the last decade – if you can stay in a game with City, you now have a chance. The team of two years ago would, after all, probably have blown that Tottenham Hotspur side away in the first half.
Inside the latest twists in a Premier League title race defined by volatility
A shifting title race is exposing new questions for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, while Mikel Arteta’s vision is landing at Arsenal and Liverpool add a new dimension, writes Miguel Delaney in his latest Inside Football newsletterChris Wilson4 February 2026 00:00Arsenal fixture change
Arsenal now have a date at Wembley on 22 March, so their Premier League match at Wolves on 21 March will now have to be rearranged.
That game has been confirmed for Wednesday, 18 February at the Molineux.
Chris Wilson3 February 2026 23:50Arsenal quadruple odds: Can the Gunners complete an historic trophy haul?
It’s been an impressive first half of the season for Arsenal as they look to finally see their efforts rewarded with some silverware, so much so that bookmakers have priced up an Arsenal quadruple.
They are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, qualified first in the Champions League table, lead their Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Chelsea (ahead of a second leg at home) and are through to an FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan.
Talk of completing the quadruple is increasing and, as such, betting sites have cut the odds on the Gunners’ winning the lot, trimming them from 50/1 to 40/1 after they beat Leeds last time out in the Premier League.
Arsenal quadruple odds: Can the Gunners complete an historic trophy haul?
We take a closer look at the latest betting odds on Arsenal to win the quadruple this seasonChris Wilson3 February 2026 23:40Rosenior responds to pundit criticism
Here’s what Liam Rosenior has to say in response to criticism of his approach tonight:
"I've been a pundit. It's easy. It's easy in hindsight,” he said.
"So, if I go and attack the game, press really high and we concede two goals early, everyone says, 'what's he doing?' That's the reality of my job.
"The reality of my job is if you lose games, you'll be criticised. If you win, you're a genius. It's normally somewhere in between, I think,” he added.
Chris Wilson3 February 2026 23:30Next up
Arsenal’s next game sees them host Sunderland this weekend, with that one kicking off at 3pm on Saturday, 7 February.
Chris Wilson3 February 2026 23:25Contrasting emotions at the Emirates
(Getty Images)
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(AP)
(Getty Images)Chris Wilson3 February 2026 23:20‘I’m flabbergasted’: Paul Merson criticises Chelsea approach in Carabao Cup loss
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has criticised Chelsea’s approach in the 1-0 loss to the Gunners in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with the Sky Sports pundit saying he was “flabbergasted” at what he saw.
Chelsea travelled to the Emirates trailing by one goal after losing the first leg at Stamford Bridge, and while the Blues limited Arsenal in attack throughout the second leg they offered precious little in attack, with few clear-cut chances and little pressure despite needing to chase the game.
‘I’m flabbergasted’: Paul Merson criticises Chelsea approach in Carabao Cup loss
Merson said he ‘couldn’t believe’ what he watched as Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea side limped to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the seciond leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final Chris Wilson3 February 2026 23:10Arteta's post match thoughts
Take a look at what Mikel Arteta had to say after Arsenal booked their place at Wembley:
Mike Jones3 February 2026 23:03More Arsenal reaction
Let’s hear from Jurrien Timber now who told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The atmosphere at the end just makes me smile. On to Wembley! First of all, I didn't know if he [Kai Havertz] was going to pass. He went around the keeper and he did amazing.
"For Kai being out for so long and coming back and the love he gets from the fans says a lot. You could feel it coming, he goes around the goalkeeper, and you know everyone is going to go crazy. Chelsea are a great team. They have some amazing players.
“Bringing Palmer and Estevao on, they also have amazing players coming off the bench. When you win over two legs twice, I think you have done an amazing job, so credit to the team. The desire is there - we are very hungry. We are in an amazing position."
Mike Jones3 February 2026 22:59Newer1 / 10OlderMore about
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