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Havertz Haunts Chelsea! Arsenal Reach Carabao Cup Final After Dramatic Extra-Time Winner

Arsenal advanced to the Carabao Cup final with a tense 1-0 victory over Chelsea, sealed by Kai Havertz's extra-time strike against his former club. The win ended a four-game semi-final losing streak for Mikel Arteta's side, who progressed 4-2 on aggregate. Arsenal's defense was immense, recording their 20th clean sheet across all competitions this season. They will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final at Wembley Stadium next month.

Key Points: Arsenal Beat Chelsea, Reach Carabao Cup Final on Havertz Goal

  • Havertz scores dramatic extra-time winner
  • Arsenal end four-game semi-final losing streak
  • Gunners keep 20th clean sheet this season
  • Final vs Man City or Newcastle at Wembley
2 min read

Carabao Cup: Havertz' late strike sinks Chelsea, seals final spot for Arsenal

Kai Havertz scores extra-time winner against former club Chelsea to send Arsenal to the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta's Gunners end semi-final curse.

"We wrapped it up at the end in a beautiful way, with Kai scoring the goal in the manner that he did. - Mikel Arteta"

London, February 4

Arsenal reached the final of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 win and overall 4-2 aggregate over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, with Kai Havertz's goal in extra time to snatch the lead and spot in the grand finale, their first Cup final in six years.

This victory ended Arsenal's four-game losing streak in semi-finals under Mikel Arteta. They will face either Pep Guardiola's Manchester City or Newcastle United in the finals held next month at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

It was a gruesome 90-minute showdown, with both teams locked at 0-0 until a dramatic goal was scored by Kai Havertz, who received a brilliant curling pass from Declan Rice. He dribbled past the keeper and put the ball in the empty net to take Arsenal one step closer to the cup and eliminate his former club.

This was Arsenal's 20th clean sheet across all tournaments, making them the first club in Europe to achieve it. Chelsea took a staggering 14 shots but could not create a clean breakthrough. The only player who tested Arsenal's keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was Enzo Fernandes with a curling rocket that was saved by a full-stretch dive from Kepa.

On the other hand, the only two Arsenal players who came closest to scoring were Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Magalhaes, until Havertz had the last laugh. The Gunners focused on protecting the lead they had earned in the first leg, a five-goal nail-biter at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the match, as per Sky Sports: "We are so happy. I think overall, over the two games, we deserved to be through.

"It was a long match. We expected that. We wrapped it up at the end in a beautiful way, with Kai scoring the goal in the manner that he did and the reaction from the crowd.

"The starters, the finishers, the staff all there. It was magical. Really happy because it was a really tough match against a great opponent and we are in Wembley.

"I think the crowd was brilliant today. They brought so much energy and belief to the team in different moments. I think we all deserve to be together in Wembley."

Arsenal will play the finals on Sunday, 22 March at the Wembleyand will be eyeing to lift the trophy for the third time after 33 years.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Chelsea had 14 shots and couldn't score once? That's just poor finishing. As a neutral fan, it's frustrating to see such a talented squad waste chances. Pochettino needs to sort out the attack before the next game.
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Arjun K
20 clean sheets! That's the real story. Defence wins championships. Saliba and Gabriel have been a wall. After so many years of heartbreak in semis, finally going to Wembley. Feeling proud! 🙌
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Priya S
Happy for Arteta and the team, but let's be honest, the football for most of the match was quite dull. Both teams seemed scared to lose. We need more attacking intent in the final, especially if it's against City.
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Karthik V
Declan Rice's pass for the goal was world class. Worth every penny. As an Indian football fan, it's great to see such technical quality. Hope the final is a cracker! Best of luck to the Gunners.
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Michael C
The article says "gruesome 90-minute showdown" but it was mostly tense and tactical. Chelsea missing their big chances cost them. The aggregate score over two legs shows Arsenal were the better team, fair and square.

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