Arsenal Edges Past Chelsea in Tense Semi-Final
Arsenal Football Club secured a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final clash on February 3, 2026, booking their place in the 2025/26 English League Cup final. This result followed a 3-2 win for Arsenal in the first leg back in January. The League Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a major domestic knockout competition in England.
The decisive goal was scored by Kai Havertz in the 97th minute of the match, with Robert Sánchez in goal for Chelsea. Chelsea's struggles against their London rivals continue, as they have now failed to beat Arsenal in any competition since August 2021, a winless run spanning 10 matches, three of which were draws.
A Landmark Achievement for Arsenal
This victory marks a significant milestone for Arsenal, as it is the club's first League Cup final appearance since 2018. In that 2018 final, Arsenal suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Historically, Arsenal's record in League Cup finals stands at two wins and six losses.
The other semi-final will see Manchester City face Newcastle United on February 4, 2026. Manchester City won the first leg of that tie 2-0. The final will be a major event in the English football calendar, typically held at Wembley Stadium.
Reaching the League Cup final represents a crucial step for Arsenal as they aim to re-establish themselves among England's football elite. The hard-fought win over Chelsea demonstrates the team's progress under their manager and could provide momentum for the remainder of the season. The upcoming final presents Arsenal with an opportunity to prove their competitiveness on the national stage and to end their poor recent record in League Cup finals.