Mikel Arteta embraced Declan Rice in a moment of pure elation after the final whistle, as Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a tense aggregate victory over Chelsea. The Gunners' manager described the win as essential "vitamins" for his squad's trophy ambitions this campaign.
Havertz's Late Strike Seals Wembley Berth
A dramatic injury-time goal from Kai Havertz against his former club sealed a 4-2 aggregate triumph for Arsenal in the semi-final. This crucial strike booked a Wembley final date next month against either Manchester City or Newcastle United, marking Arsenal's first cup final appearance since their 2020 FA Cup victory under Arteta.
Building Momentum for Quadruple Quest
With Arsenal currently sitting six points clear at the Premier League summit and competing on multiple fronts, Arteta emphasised how this cup success could propel their unprecedented quadruple challenge. "We're only one match away," the Arsenal manager declared. "It's the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because we're playing every three days."
Arteta continued: "The fact that you worked so hard to achieve those moments and to have these moments together is just magical. You can see the joy, the smile, the energy and everything that works at the club. Looking forward to it."
Rice's Determination to Avoid Past Mistakes
Declan Rice echoed his manager's sentiments, highlighting the squad's renewed determination after finishing as Premier League runners-up for three consecutive seasons. "We have a group who really want it," the England midfielder asserted. "Whatever team comes at us, we're ready for it."
Rice elaborated on the team's mentality shift: "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."
Chelsea's Injury Woes Prove Costly
Chelsea's head coach Liam Rosenior lamented his side's defeat, revealing how injuries to captain Reece James and Pedro Neto forced tactical adjustments that ultimately hampered their performance. "They were just in too much pain for tonight," Rosenior explained. "We've had a lot to contend with over the last couple of days and I have to give the players so much credit."
The Chelsea boss acknowledged his team's spirit but admitted: "The spirit was there but unfortunately for us we didn't take advantage of the quality moments that we had."
As Arsenal prepare for their Wembley showdown, Arteta's "vitamins" analogy captures the psychological boost this victory provides. With the Premier League title race intensifying and multiple cup competitions still in play, this Carabao Cup final berth represents more than just silverware potential—it symbolises the growing belief within a squad determined to convert promise into tangible success.
