ARSENAL SECURE VICTORY OVER CHELSEA IN LEAGUE CUP FIRST LEG

Read Time:3 Minute, 22 Second

By: Balogun Ibrahim

Arsenal spoiled Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior’s home debut, edging closer to Wembley with a 3-2 victory in the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Rosenior’s side had started his tenure with a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win over second-tier Charlton last weekend.

However, Arsenal made his first match on the Stamford Bridge bench far less enjoyable.

Ben White gave the Premier League leaders an early lead, and Viktor Gyokeres capitalised on a mistake by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to double the advantage after halftime.

Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to pull one back for Chelsea, but Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead with their third strike.

Garnacho offered Chelsea a late glimmer of hope with his second goal in the closing stages.

However, Arsenal will head into the second leg at Emirates Stadium on February 3 as strong favourites to secure a place in the Wembley final in March.

In the other semi-final, Manchester City claimed a 2-0 first-leg victory over Newcastle on Tuesday.

Arsenal remain unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions as they aim to lift their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta had said his players were driven by last season’s 4-0 aggregate defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-finals.

Arsenal have also fallen short in the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions League, the 2022 League Cup, and the 2021 Europa League.

READ MORE…

FIFA RECEIVES MORE THAN 500 MILLION APPLICATIONS FOR WORLD CUP TICKETS

Now sitting atop both the Premier League and Champions League and through to the FA Cup fourth round, the Gunners may face their best opportunity yet to end their trophy drought.

Chelsea’s new manager, Liam Rosenior, who was sacked by Hull in 2024, was appointed last week to replace Enzo Maresca after earning praise for guiding French side Strasbourg to a seventh-place finish last season.

The 41-year-old’s debut at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by the absence of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Malo Gusto, sidelined due to a mix of injuries, illness, and suspension.

Despite claiming he had been focused on preparing for Arsenal since taking charge last week, Chelsea looked completely unready and were caught cold in the seventh minute.

Arsenal’s set-piece threat, their most potent attacking weapon over the past two seasons, struck again. Declan Rice curled a corner into the six-yard box, and when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez mistimed his catch, an unmarked Ben White had all the time and space to direct a downward header into the net.

It was White’s first goal since 2024, when he also scored against Chelsea, and marked Arsenal’s 24th goal from set-pieces this season including 18 from corners, the most of any club in Europe’s top five leagues.

Chelsea attempted to respond, but Kepa Arrizabalaga denied efforts from Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian.

Arsenal doubled their lead in the 49th minute thanks to Sanchez’s blunder. White’s low cross should have been straightforward for the goalkeeper, but he allowed it to slip through, and Viktor Gyokeres tapped in for his first goal in open play in 16 games. The strike provided a rare moment of vindication for the much-criticised Sweden striker, who has scored just eight times in 26 appearances since joining from Sporting Lisbon last year.

Rosenior introduced Alejandro Garnacho for Marc Guiu, a move that immediately paid off. Garnacho drilled home from close range in the 57th minute after Arsenal failed to clear a loose ball.

Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion in the 71st minute, taking Gyokeres’ lay-off and cleverly creating space for a precise finish from 10 yards.

Chelsea were given hope again when Garnacho netted from a half-cleared corner in the 83rd minute, pulling his side back into the contest.