Havertz Sends Arsenal To Wembley With Late Winner Over Chelsea

Arsenal fans have reason to celebrate as the Gunners booked their place in the 2026 Carabao Cup final after a tense 1-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. In a match that was as much about nerve as it was about skill, it was Kai Havertz who delivered the decisive blow late on, rounding Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory and send the North London faithful into raptures.

Coming into the semifinal second leg, Arsenal held a slender 3-2 advantage from their first-leg triumph at Stamford Bridge. The stakes were clear: Chelsea needed at least a goal to force extra time, while Mikel Arteta’s men simply had to avoid defeat to secure their long-awaited return to Wembley. The tension was palpable from the opening whistle, with both sides cagey and cautious—nobody wanted to be the one to blink first in such a high-stakes encounter.

The first half was, by all accounts, a chess match. Neither side managed to carve out any clear-cut chances, with Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie testing Sanchez from distance and Chelsea’s defense, marshaled by Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, standing firm. Chelsea, under the stewardship of Liam Rosenior, set up to frustrate the hosts, deploying a back five and looking to keep things tight. Arsenal, meanwhile, probed but found space at a premium, with Gabriel Martinelli and Eberechi Eze unable to break through the blue wall.

"The atmosphere at the end just makes me smile. On to Wembley! First of all, I didn't know if he [Kai Havertz] was going to pass. He went around the keeper and he did amazing," Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber told BBC Radio 5 Live after the final whistle. His words captured the relief and joy that swept through the Emirates as Arsenal fans began to dream of silverware once more.

Chelsea’s lineup was shaped as much by absences as by tactical intent. Reece James was rested, Pedro Neto was unavailable due to fitness concerns, and Estevao, who had just returned from compassionate leave in Brazil, started on the bench. Injuries to Jamie Gittens, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Filip Jorgensen further stretched Rosenior’s options. The manager was candid about the challenges his side faced, stating, "We really felt with the game plan, we felt we had a good chance to come through. In terms of the result it was not what we wanted. I’m seeing clear improvements from when I joined to now. We lost Reece (James) and Pedro (Neto) this morning. Cole has had a really difficult few months and Estevao has been away with his family in Brazil. We needed to give ourselves the best chance and make sure it did not run away from us."

Despite the adversity, Chelsea’s starting XI—Sanchez; Hato, Chalobah, Fofana; Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez (captain), Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto; Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap—looked to stifle Arsenal and hit on the break. The Blues’ bench included the returning Estevao and 16-year-old Charlie Holland, a nod to the club’s faith in youth even on such a big stage.

The second half saw both teams attempt to raise the tempo, with Chelsea knowing their season’s hopes hinged on finding a way past Arsenal’s resolute defense. Substitutions brought Cole Palmer and Estevao into the fray, but the visitors still struggled to create meaningful openings. Arsenal’s defense, led by William Saliba and Gabriel, remained composed, while Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi provided the necessary steel in midfield.

As the clock ticked down, the match appeared destined for a nervy finish. Then, in stoppage time, Arsenal struck. A swift counterattack saw Martinelli and Havertz break clear, with the German international coolly rounding Sanchez before tapping home to send the home crowd into delirium. It was a moment of quality in a match that had been defined by tension and tactical discipline. Havertz’s celebration—pointing to the badge—said it all: he’s Arsenal through and through now, and his goal might just be the catalyst for a historic season.

After the match, manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his team’s resilience and the electric atmosphere inside the Emirates. "Did I enjoy it? Very much—especially at the end. We knew it was going to be a real battle out there. That resilience, that clarity to understand what kind of game we had to play. We did that so well. There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference. We’ve been waiting a few years to get into this position and we’re certainly going to enjoy it [the final]," Arteta told ITV.

For Chelsea, the disappointment was clear, but Rosenior chose to focus on the positives and the progress his side has made since his arrival. "We dominated the areas we wanted to in the second half, but we didn’t find that quality moment. When you’re pushing as we were, we put both defenders in the box and in the last few minutes of injury time that (conceding) can always happen. Arsenal know they were in for a game today, over both ties. I think there are clear improvements from the first leg to the second. Yes, it’s painful to lose—you want to go through. We just need to keep making improvements—which I’m seeing," he reflected post-match.

Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah echoed his manager’s sentiments, telling Sky Sports, "It’s disappointing not to get into the final. It’s the final details in the attacking third. There wasn’t much in the game, we did well to nullify them. The boys had done really well but it was the final details. They didn’t create many chances, they didn’t really hurt us. It’s those details of finishing an attack and getting some shots off. We came into the game knowing what the manager wanted. We came in no rush, with no pressure, we were pushing until the end but we have to keep our heads up. We needed more shots, it’s hard to break down Arsenal."

With their place at Wembley now confirmed, Arsenal will turn their attention to the final on March 22, where they will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United—City currently hold a 2-0 advantage heading into their second leg. The Gunners’ next Premier League test comes at home against Sunderland on February 7, as Arteta’s side look to keep their momentum rolling in what could become a truly memorable campaign.

For Chelsea, attention shifts back to the league with a tricky away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on the horizon. While the Carabao Cup dream is over for this season, the Blues will be keen to regroup and push for a strong finish in the Premier League and other competitions.

As the Emirates emptied and the celebrations carried on into the North London night, it was clear: Arsenal are a team on a mission, and with Wembley on the horizon, the sky’s the limit.