Arsenal has taken a significant step towards breaking their long-standing semifinal curse by defeating Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2024. The Gunners, who have struggled to convert their potential into trophies in recent years, are now strong favorites to advance to the final after this crucial victory.
Under the management of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has shown continuous improvement over the past six years. Yet, the pressing challenge remains to translate their squad’s talent into tangible success on the pitch. Historically, the semifinal has been a stumbling block for the club, with Arteta’s side failing to win any of their last four semifinal ties, accumulating six losses and scoring only twice.
Last season, Arsenal suffered a disheartening 4-0 aggregate defeat to Newcastle United in the same competition, which raised further questions about their ability to secure silverware. The club’s last trophy, the FA Cup in 2020, now feels like a distant memory. Given this backdrop, the recent win against Chelsea marks a pivotal moment in their quest for glory.
Mikel Arteta reflected on the match, stating, “It is another step but it is just halftime. We know the big fight we are going to have at the Emirates in a few weeks’ time because they are a top side.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as they prepare for their next match, indicating a clear intention to build on this momentum.
Arsenal’s dominance over Chelsea has been evident, with the Gunners remaining unbeaten against their London rivals since 2021, a run that now extends to nine matches. The victory at Stamford Bridge was not without challenges, as Chelsea, despite their struggles, displayed resilience, especially after being reduced to ten men for nearly an hour during their previous Premier League clash.
The match began on a positive note for Arsenal when Ben White opened the scoring in the seventh minute, capitalizing on a mistake from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. Just four minutes into the second half, Viktor Gyökeres doubled Arsenal’s lead, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho provided a glimmer of hope with a well-taken goal in the 57th minute, but Arsenal’s Martín Zubimendi restored their two-goal advantage with a stunning finish shortly after.
Arteta’s joy was palpable as Gyökeres, who had a quiet first half, emerged as a key player, contributing with both a goal and an assist. This performance could serve as a catalyst for Arsenal as they aim to secure their standing at the top of the Premier League and in the UEFA Champions League.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s interim manager, Liam Rosenior, faced a challenging situation, having to navigate injuries and suspensions affecting key players. He noted, “Cole [Palmer], the game came too early for him,” highlighting the difficulties in managing player fitness during a demanding schedule.
As the return leg approaches on February 3, Chelsea will seek to overturn the deficit, buoyed by the potential of their squad and the hope ignited by Garnacho’s performance. Rosenior remains focused on building a competitive team, stating, “I need to put my stamp on the team as well, otherwise there is no point me being here.”
For Arsenal, the path to the Carabao Cup final is now clearer, but the challenge of translating their semifinal success into a trophy remains. As they prepare to face Chelsea again, the Gunners will aim to not only maintain their momentum but to finally end their trophy drought.
