Arsenal secured their first cup final appearance since 2020 after Kai Havertz’s dramatic 97th-minute winner sealed a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, completing a 4-2 aggregate triumph in the Carabao Cup semi-final. According to Skysports.com.
Havertz breaks Chelsea hearts with stoppage-time winner to send Arsenal through
The substitute striker delivered the decisive blow against his former club, latching onto Declan Rice’s cross before dribbling around goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and finishing into an empty net. The late goal sparked wild celebrations among home supporters and ensured Arsenal’s passage to next month’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Arsenal’s victory ends a painful run of four consecutive semi-final defeats under Mikel Arteta and keeps their quest for silverware alive on four fronts this season. The Gunners will face either Manchester City or Newcastle in the final, scheduled for Sunday March 22 at 4.30pm.
Chelsea dominated possession and registered 14 shots to Arsenal’s five but failed to create clear openings in a cagey encounter. Enzo Fernandez’s curling effort from outside the box, palmed away by Kepa Arrizabalaga in the first half, represented their best chance to level the tie and force extra-time.
Arsenal were content to protect their aggregate advantage, becoming the first club in Europe’s major leagues to record a 20th clean sheet in all competitions this season. Piero Hincapie and Gabriel Magalhaes went closest to breaking the deadlock before Havertz’s dramatic intervention against his former employers.
Manager Mikel Arteta described the winning goal as “magical,” telling his press conference: “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.” Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior acknowledged his team’s improved performances but admitted disappointment at the setback after less than a month in charge.
