Kai Havertz struck deep into stoppage time, completing a 4-2 aggregate success after the earlier 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners will return to Wembley in search of their first EFL Cup triumph since 1993, with Manchester City or Newcastle United waiting in the final. Arteta now has another chance to add silverware, having previously lifted a major trophy with the 2019-20 FA Cup.
Arsenal’s progress has been built on defensive control, with 20 clean sheets already across all competitions this season. That figure is close to their best tally under Arteta, which stands at 23 shutouts recorded in 2023-24. The latest clean sheet came in a contest where both teams struggled to create clear chances.
The second leg at Emirates Stadium was cautious for long spells, with limited attacking threat from either side. The match produced only 1.6 expected goals combined. Arsenal generated 0.9 expected goals from five attempts, while Chelsea totalled 0.7 expected goals from 14 shots, with both teams managing two efforts on target.
| Team | Goals | Expected goals (xG) | Shots | Shots on target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 1 | 0.9 | 5 | 2 |
| Chelsea | 0 | 0.7 | 14 | 2 |
Liam Rosenior organised Chelsea in a 3-5-2 system, aiming to restrict space and keep the tie alive. Chelsea stayed compact until the hour mark, when Cole Palmer and Estevao came on from the bench. Arsenal finally punished a late opening, breaking forward in the 97th minute through a rapid counter-attack.
Declan Rice collected the ball and picked out Havertz with a through pass, sending the forward clear. Havertz rounded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez before finishing from close range. The goal sparked loud celebrations inside Emirates Stadium and confirmed another major final appearance for Arsenal under Arteta.
Speaking to ITV1 after the final whistle, Arteta underlined the physical nature of the contest and the importance of mentality. Arteta praised the way Arsenal adapted to the game’s demands and highlighted how the home crowd influenced the closing stages, describing the night as a reward for recent seasons of progress.
“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.”
Rice echoed Arteta’s assessment, emphasising both Chelsea’s threat and Arsenal’s defensive resolve. Rice noted how the visitors’ tactical switch and substitutions created problems, yet felt the back line handled the pressure. Rice also stressed the squad’s determination to turn recent Premier League challenges into trophies across all competitions this season.
“Credit to Chelsea. Since their new manager has come in, they’ve been really, really good. They changed their formation tonight and gave us problems. On another night, they could have scored, but credit where it is due, our defence was incredible. We have a group who really want it. Whatever team comes at us, we’re ready for it. When you play a team like Chelsea, they throw so many things at you physically and mentally. You’ve got to have that resilience to stay strong and keep going. We deserve it. The last three or four years we’ve been at the top of the Premier League, competing and got really close, but haven’t been good enough. That’s why this season we have that extra desire and fire in our bellies to go one step further in every competition. There’s a long way to go, but to be in a cup final with this club is amazing.”
Arsenal now move from this controlled semi-final towards a Wembley meeting with either Manchester City or Newcastle United. The team arrives with strong defensive numbers, a late winner from Havertz, and public belief from both Arteta and Rice that recent near-misses can drive a stronger push for trophies this season.