Arsenal seized control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, winning 3-2 at Stamford Bridge despite two goals from substitute Alejandro Garnacho. The display of power and aggression from Mikel Arteta's side left them firmly on course for the final, though a late Chelsea fightback kept the tie alive.
Ben White opened the scoring from a Declan Rice corner, Arsenal's 24th set-piece goal of the season. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was at fault for the second early in the second half, fumbling a low cross from White to allow Viktor Gyökeres to tap in. Sánchez's erratic performance undermined Chelsea's hopes.
Garnacho pulled one back for Chelsea, but Martín Zubimendi responded with a cool finish after Gyökeres's layoff to restore Arsenal's two-goal lead. The Spaniard's strike left Arteta astonished. Garnacho scored again late on to give Chelsea a glimmer of hope, but Arsenal remained in control.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, in his first home game, was without injured Reece James and Cole Palmer, suspended Moisés Caicedo, and ill Liam Delap. Arsenal named a strong side, with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal. The hosts struggled to cope with Arsenal's intensity and set-piece threat throughout.
