Havertz Strikes Late As Arsenal Book Wembley Final

On a rain-soaked Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal delivered a performance filled with grit, patience, and just a touch of late drama to book their place in the Carabao Cup final for the first time since 2018. The Gunners edged Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of their semi-final, securing a 4-2 aggregate victory and setting up a Wembley showdown on March 22, 2026, against either Manchester City or Newcastle United.

Heading into the second leg, Arsenal held a slender 3-2 advantage from their pulsating first encounter at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Viktor Gyokeres, Ben White, and Martin Zubimendi had given the North Londoners a precious lead, but Chelsea, renowned for their resilience in this competition, arrived with every intention of turning the tables. The Blues had managed to progress in three of their last four EFL Cup semi-final ties after losing the first leg, and with new head coach Liam Rosenior at the helm, they were eager to keep that trend alive.

Yet, on a cold and blustery night, both teams struggled to find their rhythm in a tightly contested opening half. The Emirates pitch glistened under the floodlights, slick with rain, as the match unfolded with few clear-cut chances. Arsenal’s supporters were briefly lifted by a string of early corners, with Eberechi Eze’s driven pass to Piero Hincapie forcing a sharp save from Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea’s best opportunity came when Enzo Fernandez curled a shot toward the top corner, only to be denied by Arsenal’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The cagey nature of the first half continued into the second, with both sides probing but rarely threatening. Early in the half, Chelsea’s Liam Delap poked an effort wide after a scramble in the six-yard box, while Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli saw his shot thwarted by some last-ditch defending from Malo Gusto. The Blues, desperate for a goal to level the tie, threw on attackers Cole Palmer and Estevao, but Arsenal’s backline stood firm, marshaled by the ever-reliable Ben White and Gabriel.

As the clock ticked down and tension mounted, the match seemed destined for a nervy finish. Chelsea pressed forward, peppering the Arsenal penalty area with crosses and set pieces, but could not find a way through. Marc Cucurella’s curling effort sailed over the bar, and Wesley Fofana nudged a header wide, as the Gunners’ defense refused to yield.

Then, with the match deep into stoppage time and Chelsea’s hopes hanging by a thread, Arsenal struck the decisive blow. Leandro Trossard launched a quick counterattack, feeding Declan Rice, who in turn picked out substitute Kai Havertz in acres of space. The German, facing his former club and having battled through a year of hamstring and knee injuries, showed remarkable composure to round Sanchez and slot home the winner.

Havertz’s celebration was one for the ages—he pointed to the Arsenal badge as teammates swarmed him, a moment that seemed to encapsulate the emotional journey of his season. Manager Mikel Arteta, beaming with pride, described the achievement as "magical" and told reporters, "It's the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because we're playing every three days. But the fact that we worked so hard to achieve those moments and to have these moments together is just magical." Arteta continued, "You can see the joy, the smiles, the energy from everyone that works at the club. Winning helps in every sense. Confidence, energy, you call it. We're going to be there in a few weeks, we'll prepare well."

For Havertz, the goal was more than just a ticket to Wembley. It was a personal triumph after a challenging year. "Not only me, I think everybody that knows Kai a little bit, we feel genuinely happy for him in a special way because he deserves the best," Arteta said. "The way he works, the way he treats people, the way he behaves every single day. Today was a special moment for him and I hope that he enjoyed it because he fully deserves it."

Chelsea, meanwhile, were left to ponder what might have been. Rosenior, suffering his first significant setback since taking charge, revealed that Reece James and Pedro Neto had failed fitness tests on the morning of the match, forcing last-minute adjustments. "There are a lot of encouraging signs," Rosenior reflected. "Now I need to see what we look like after a setback. We need to react positively. We have a difficult game away in Wolves on Saturday and I need to see what our reaction is to that."

With their place at Wembley now confirmed, Arsenal’s attention briefly shifts back to the Premier League. They face Sunderland at home on February 7, followed by a trip to Brentford on February 12. Their league fixture against Wolves, originally scheduled for the weekend of March 21-22, will be rearranged to accommodate their Carabao Cup final appearance.

The Carabao Cup final itself is shaping up to be a marquee event. The match will be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium, known as the "Home of Football," providing the stage for the season’s first major domestic silverware. The final is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, with kick-off widely expected at 4:30pm GMT, though the EFL has yet to confirm the exact time. Fans across the UK will be able to watch the match live on Sky Sports, with tickets allocated primarily through the competing clubs’ official channels.

For Arsenal, this final represents more than just a shot at silverware—it’s a chance to end a 33-year wait to lift the League Cup, their last triumph coming in 1993. The Gunners lost their most recent final in 2018 to Manchester City, while their only trophy under Arteta so far was the 2020 FA Cup. With the Champions League, FA Cup, and Premier League all still in play, the dream of an unprecedented quadruple remains alive, if distant.

As for their potential opponents, Manchester City currently hold a 2-0 advantage over Newcastle United ahead of their semi-final second leg at the Etihad, with Newcastle aiming to defend their 2025 crown. Whoever emerges victorious will face an Arsenal side buoyed by belief, momentum, and the magic of a dramatic semi-final triumph.

Wembley awaits. Arsenal’s journey continues, and with confidence surging through the squad, North London fans are daring to dream of another historic night under the arch.