Arsenal are heading to Wembley. A late goal from Kai Havertz secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, completing a 4-2 aggregate win for the Gunners and sending them through to the 2026 EFL Cup final. They will face the winner of the Manchester City vs. Newcastle United semi-final, with City currently holding a 2-0 advantage.
The match was a tense affair, punctuated by a heated exchange between Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior and Arsenal players during the warm-up. Sky Sports cameras captured Rosenior emphatically instructing the Gunners to “Stay in your half, stay in your half!” Rosenior clarified after the match that his frustration stemmed from Arsenal players encroaching on Chelsea’s designated warm-up area. “I am respectful,” he said at a press conference on Thursday, February 5th, “and when you warm up you have your half and the other team theirs. I have never asked my players to disrespect that. At that moment I thought they were not doing the right thing. They were bothering my players and my coaching staff. I asked them, not in a nice way, that they will stay in their place.”
Rosenior was quick to downplay any lasting animosity, stating he has “no problem with Arsenal” and respects manager Mikel Arteta. “Simply at that moment, I think my team was not being respected,” he added. The incident, however, underscored the high stakes and competitive edge of the tie.
On the pitch, the first half proved a tactical stalemate. Both teams approached the match cautiously, prioritizing defensive solidity and avoiding costly errors. Clear-cut chances were scarce, with neither side able to establish a sustained attacking rhythm. Chelsea, needing at least one goal to force extra time, took the initiative in the second half, but Arsenal’s defense remained resolute.
The breakthrough finally came in the 97th minute. Arsenal exploited a late counterattack, with Havertz displaying clinical finishing to slot the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the Arsenal faithful and effectively sealed their place in the final.
The result continues Arsenal’s impressive form this season. While the 3-2 victory in the first leg at Stamford Bridge laid the foundation for their success, their ability to close out the tie at home demonstrated their growing maturity and tactical flexibility. Arteta’s side are now within touching distance of silverware, with the EFL Cup final on representing a significant opportunity to add to their trophy cabinet.
For Chelsea, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their League Cup campaign. Rosenior, appointed as Chelsea’s manager recently, will be looking for a response from his team in their upcoming fixtures. The Blues were without Jamie Gittens, who suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s match against West Ham, and may soon have Filip Jorgensen available again, with the goalkeeper “close to being fit.” However, Rosenior also revealed that Estevao Willian is currently on compassionate leave due to personal reasons, and the manager is committed to not pressuring the player to return before he is ready.
Rosenior also addressed criticism regarding Arsenal’s reliance on set pieces, dismissing the notion that they were reverting to a more direct style of play. He stated that it was “unfair” to label Arsenal as ‘Set Piece FC,’ highlighting the broader qualities of Arteta’s team.
Paul Merson, speaking after the match, criticized Rosenior’s tactical approach, suggesting that Enzo Fernandez was “wasted” in the new system. While Merson’s comments offer an external perspective on Chelsea’s performance, Rosenior maintains that his focus is on utilizing the entire squad effectively, emphasizing the importance of physical demands and player rotation throughout the season. “I don’t have a best XI,” Rosenior explained. “I never have done in all of the clubs that I’ve worked with. Why? Because of the physical demands. You need a squad, and you need to use the players in the correct way to challenge over the course of the season.”
The EFL Cup final promises to be a compelling encounter, with Arsenal facing either Manchester City or Newcastle United. City, under Pep Guardiola, are perennial contenders, while Newcastle have emerged as a force under Eddie Howe. Regardless of their opponent, Arsenal will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to compete for a major trophy and continue their impressive season.
