Arsenal vs Chelsea: First-leg advantage gives Gunners EFL Cup final ticket after derby win

Arsenal's late strike against Chelsea ensured a 1-0 win in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, which saw the Gunners book a place against either Manchester City or Newcastle in the Cup final.

The Gunners' 3-2 win in the first leg gave them the platform to win the second leg, thanks to Kai Havertz' late goal, which saw them past the Blues, who rarely threatened to turn the tie around in a tepid London derby.

The high stakes were clear from the opening minutes as both Arsenal and Chelsea showed nerves in a tense, rain-soaked encounter at the Emirates.

Early errors set the tone, with Robert Sánchez dealing with risky backpasses and Liam Delap firing wide after a William Saliba mistake. Chances were limited in a cagey first half defined by midfield battles, though Piero Hincapié forced a sharp save from Sánchez with a curling effort.

Slippery conditions led to misjudged attempts, including a scuffed long-range effort from Trevoh Chalobah, while Gabriel Martinelli threatened before being denied by Malo Gusto. Late in the half, Kepa Arrizabalaga was tested for the first time, pushing away Enzo Fernández’s strike.

Chelsea showed greater urgency after the break, with João Pedro and Jorrel Hato both going close, prompting Liam Rosenior to introduce Cole Palmer and Estêvão. Arsenal responded through Gabriel Magalhães, whose header was blocked, as chances came and went at both ends.

With Chelsea pushing late, Arsenal struck in stoppage time when Declan Rice broke forward and set up Kai Havertz to seal the win. The goal sent Arsenal into their first cup final since 2020, while Chelsea’s wait for silverware in the competition continues.