Arsenal edge out Chelsea to reach English League Cup final

Kai Havertz struck in stoppage time against his former club as Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory and reach the English League Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The German forward, who joined Arsenal after spending three seasons at Chelsea, came off the bench in the 69th minute and delivered the decisive moment late on. Latching onto a counter-attacking pass from Declan Rice, Havertz rounded goalkeeper Robert Sánchez before slotting home with virtually the last kick of a cagey second leg.

Mikel Arteta’s side, which had won the first leg 3–2 at Stamford Bridge, controlled long spells at the Emirates Stadium but found clear chances hard to come by against a compact Chelsea defence.

Arsenal’s progress keeps alive hopes of a first League Cup triumph since 1993. The north London club has finished runner-up six times in the competition, most recently in 2018.

The Gunners are enjoying a strong campaign on multiple fronts, leading the Premier League by six points and having advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup, while also finishing top of their Champions League group.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s renewed push for silverware, midfielder Declan Rice said: “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,” he added.

Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final on March 22. City hold a 2–0 advantage ahead of the second leg of their semi-final.