By Martin Graham
of Arsenal Recent playoff history has offered little encouragement, especially at the semi-final stage. Under Mikel Arteta, progress at this point in competitions has often ended in frustration rather than celebration.
That narrative changed on Wednesday night as the north London side earned a 3-2 away win. Chelsea in the first leg of the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. The result puts them a game away from reaching a major domestic final for the first time since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.
Having failed to win any of the four semi-finals prior to the double-header and managing just two goals in those qualifiers, Arsenal will now return to the Emirates Stadium on February 3 as heavy favorites to finally overcome this psychological hurdle.
Arteta’s side shows consistency and control
Victory at Stamford Bridge underlined a campaign that has already produced sustained excellence. Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League and Champions League stages, while progressing to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
This semi-final was their 32nd game of the season, and defeat has come on just two occasions, both on the road in league games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. This reliability has become a defining characteristic of Arteta’s squad.
Despite the advantage gained, within the field it was felt that the margin should have been greater. After building a 3-1 lead during a period of dominance, Arsenal wasted two clear chances that could have left the tie all but settled before the second leg.
Arteta acknowledged that frustration, noting how a late Chelsea corner led to a goal that changed the complexion of the night. While he was pleased with the overall presentation, he admitted that the closing stages prevented the performance from feeling complete.
Gyokeres offers a timely response amid scrutiny
Victor Gyokeres contribution was one of the most encouraging developments of the night. Since his £64million move from Sporting, the Swedish forward has struggled to match the prolific standards that defined his previous career at the club.
Prior to this game, their only recent success had come from the penalty spot against Everton, without a goal in the game since November. Against Chelsea, however, he rediscovered the sharpness and authority that earned him 97 goals in 102 games in Portugal.
Beyond finding the net himself, Gyokeres also set himself up Martin Zubimendi for Arsenal’s third goal, underscoring his influence during the attacking phase. The striker has emphasized the importance of maintaining concentration before the second leg, despite the assured advantage.
He also highlighted Arsenal’s defensive discipline in the face of Chelsea’s counter-attacking threat, while acknowledging that conceding two goals was not ideal, even in victory.
Gains have been made, but standards remain high
Arsenal twice maintained a two-goal cushion during the game, but were unable to preserve it on both occasions. by Alejandro Garnacho The brace ensured Chelsea stayed within striking distance heading into the second leg.
Ben White admitted the second-half display fell short of expectations, with lapses in control leading to unnecessary pressure. Still, he stressed that getting an away win in a semi-final is still a valuable result.
Arteta, for his part, quickly devoted his attention to domestic tasks. With a Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest, the manager stressed the importance of recovery and preparation, reinforcing the routine that has underpinned Arsenal’s fine season so far.
Although the tie is still undecided, Arsenal have put themselves in a commanding position, with the chance to book an appearance at Wembley on March 22 within reach.
