Arsenal took a decisive step toward the Carabao Cup final with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. Despite Chelsea striker Alejandro Garnacho scoring twice to keep his side in contention, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s errors proved costly, contributing directly to two of Arsenal’s goals.
Sanchez Errors Give Arsenal Early Advantage
Chelsea’s match began poorly when Sanchez failed to claim a Declan Rice corner, allowing Ben White to head home the opener in the seventh minute. The goalkeeper’s struggles continued after half-time, as a cross squirmed through his hands, enabling Viktor Gyokeres to make it 2-0 for the hosts.
“Sanchez’s mistakes were on me,” said Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior, defending his keeper while acknowledging the impact on the game.
Chelsea responded when Garnacho, introduced as a substitute, converted Pedro Neto’s cross to reduce the deficit in the 57th minute. However, Arsenal regained control when Martin Zubimendi’s brilliant solo effort restored a two-goal cushion, before Garnacho volleyed in his second late in the match to keep Chelsea’s hopes alive.
Chelsea now face the challenge of overturning a one-goal deficit in the second leg at the Emirates on 3 February.
Tactical Observations: Rosenior’s Chelsea
For Chelsea, this semi-final was the first true tactical test for new head coach Liam Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca last week. With key absences including Cole Palmer, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and suspended Moises Caicedo, Rosenior had to field a weakened side.
Despite the setbacks, Chelsea showed early signs of his intended playing identity. Enzo Fernandez’s pressing forced Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard into a turnover that led to Garnacho’s first goal. Rosenior also implemented a man-marking system, deploying Wesley Fofana to track Odegaard, Arsenal’s creative lynchpin.
However, Sanchez’s mistakes from set-pieces will likely raise questions about Chelsea’s goalkeeper situation, especially after conceding two set-piece goals in Rosenior’s first two matches in charge.
Arsenal Take Advantage of Set-Pieces and Depth
Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta made strategic use of his squad depth, fielding a strong XI after making 10 changes in their FA Cup third-round win at Portsmouth. Ben White’s header from the seventh-minute corner marked Arsenal’s 24th goal from set-pieces this season—the most of any club in Europe’s top five leagues.
Gyokeres also enjoyed a productive night, scoring for the first time from open play in 16 games and assisting Zubimendi’s goal, boosting his confidence ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League commitments.
Arteta emphasized that while the Carabao Cup is not Arsenal’s main objective, a trophy at this stage could provide a “nudge” and motivation for the team as they pursue Premier League and Champions League glory.
“Winning an EFL Cup match or the trophy would give the team a sense that our objectives are really close,” Arteta said pre-match.
This victory was also Arsenal’s first individual semi-final match win in nine attempts, signaling progress under Arteta’s leadership.
Key Players and Match Ratings
- Player of the Match: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) – 7.17 average rating
- Chelsea standout: Alejandro Garnacho – 7.03, scoring twice despite defeat
- Other Arsenal contributors: Viktor Gyokeres (goal + assist), Ben White (opening goal), William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Jurrien Timber provided defensive stability and set-piece threat.
Chelsea’s Sanchez received the lowest average rating at 3.84, highlighting his errors’ impact on the result.
What’s Next?
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday against Brentford at Stamford Bridge (15:00 GMT) and travel to face Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
Arsenal visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday (17:30 GMT) before an away clash with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).
With the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final approaching, Chelsea must overturn a one-goal deficit at the Emirates, while Arsenal look to maintain their unbeaten run of 10 matches across all competitions.
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