Arsenal Reaches League Cup Final: Gyökeres’ Role in 4-2 Chelsea Win

Arsenal are heading to Wembley for the Carabao Cup final, securing their place after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea. While the second leg at the Emirates ended 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Kai Havertz, it was the performance and contribution of Viktor Gyokeres in the first leg at Stamford Bridge that initially sparked the Gunners’ run to the final.

Gyokeres, who played 69 minutes in the first leg on January 15, 2026, was instrumental in Arsenal’s 3-2 win. Despite only touching the ball ten times, the Swedish striker scored one goal and provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi. The goals were crucial in establishing a lead Arsenal would ultimately protect.

The first leg saw a familiar connection rekindled. Ben White’s cross found Gyokeres for a close-range finish, a moment highlighted by the fact that both players were former teammates at Brighton’s youth academy, coached by Liam Rosenior – who was, at the time, the manager of Chelsea. The goal was described as a “tap-in with the goal gaping,” but analysis pointed to Gyokeres’ ability to attract multiple defenders, creating space for his teammates.

His assist for Zubimendi further demonstrated this impact. Gyokeres drew three Chelsea players towards him before laying the ball off, allowing Zubimendi the space to finish. This ability to occupy defenders has been noted as a key characteristic of Gyokeres’ game, with reports indicating he is the Premier League player afforded the least amount of space by opposing defenses.

The return leg at the Emirates was a more tightly contested affair. With the first-leg advantage, Arsenal adopted a more cautious approach. The match remained goalless until the dying minutes when Havertz, who replaced Gyokeres in the lineup, scored the decisive goal. This goal sealed Arsenal’s progression to the final, despite a relatively uneventful second leg.

Gyokeres’ celebration after scoring at Chelsea was telling. He appeared slightly embarrassed to celebrate in front of the visiting supporters and needed encouragement from teammates to fully embrace the moment. This suggests a player still finding his feet and building confidence within the team, despite consistent support from manager Mikel Arteta.

Prior to the Chelsea match, Gyokeres had faced some criticism since joining Arsenal, but his performance at Stamford Bridge was seen as a turning point, a demonstration of his worth to the team. He had previously endured a goal drought, scoring only his second goal in 11 games, and his first from open play since November 1st. The goal against Chelsea, and the assist, were therefore particularly significant.

Arsenal’s opponent in the final will be determined on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, when Manchester City and Newcastle United complete their semi-final tie. Manchester City currently leads 2-0 from the first leg.

Arteta, who secured his first win in nine two-legged semi-final ties with this victory over Chelsea, acknowledged the toughness of the match. He noted his team’s defensive resilience, particularly in dealing with Chelsea’s counter-attacks, and praised their offensive output. However, he also suggested that Arsenal could have finished the tie more decisively.

The Carabao Cup final, scheduled for March 15, 2026, at Wembley Stadium, represents a significant opportunity for Arsenal to end their trophyless run. Gyokeres’ contribution, while perhaps understated in terms of pure statistics, has been vital in reaching this stage, and his ability to create space and attract defenders could prove crucial in the final itself.