Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final for the first time since 1993 after a tense 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, with Kai Havertz scoring a stoppage-time breakaway goal against his former club. The win ended a run of four consecutive semi-final defeats for Mikel Arteta's side.
The second leg was a cagey affair, with Arsenal content to protect their 3-2 aggregate lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, started with an unexpected back three and left Cole Palmer on the bench, but lacked the cutting edge to trouble a well-organised Arsenal defence.
Both teams were without their captains: Martin Odegaard missed out for Arsenal with a minor muscle injury, while Reece James failed a fitness test for Chelsea. Bukayo Saka was also absent due to a hip problem, contributing to Arsenal's lack of fluency in attack. Eberechi Eze struggled on a rare start.
Chelsea had the best chances of the first half, with Liam Delap shooting wide after William Saliba's error and Enzo Fernandez forcing a comfortable save from Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal's best opportunity came from a corner, but Robert Sanchez saved from Piero Hincapie.
Rosenior introduced Palmer and Estevao from the bench on the hour mark, switching to a back four, which gave Chelsea more attacking impetus. Marc Cucurella and the Brazilian teenager both fired wide. With 13 minutes remaining, Gabriel Magalhaes missed a golden chance to settle the tie, heading wide from a corner. But in stoppage time, Havertz broke away to slot past Sanchez and send Arsenal to Wembley.
