Arsenal reach Carabao Cup final as Kai Havertz scores against Chelsea

Arsenal are into the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday night, thanks to a late goal from former Blues player Kai Havertz.

Tipped to be an epic game of football, the first half ended in a goalless draw as Arsenal showed little attacking appetite having entered the game with a lead to protect.

Also, Chelsea failed to show why they need to be in the final as they played to Arsenal’s tune.

Arsenal’s best chance of a scoring a goal in the first half saw Gabriel Magalhaes pick out Gabriel Martinelli with a delicious ball over the top, only for the Brazilian to allow Chelsea defender Malo Gusto enough time to retreat and block his eventual shot.

Arsenal players celebrate scoring their team’s goal. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The second half also failed to provide much firepower, with Gabriel’s header blocked from close range by Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea also tried their luck from a couple of set pieces late on – Cole Palmer’s free-kick hit the wall and Wesley Fofana flicked wide from the following corner – while the hosts were denied a penalty when Trevoh Chalobah made a sliding challenge to pry the ball away from Martinelli.

Eventually, at the end of six added minutes, Arsenal wrapped up their spot in the final, their first of any kind since 2020.

Declan Rice led a counter with every Chelsea man up the pitch, and he squared for former Blue Kai Havertz to send them to Wembley, where Manchester City or Newcastle await.