Arsenal won the first leg of the Chelsea vs Arsenal Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge by a score of 3–2. This result leaves the London derby tie very close going into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
The Chelsea vs. Arsenal game was a five-goal thriller with mistakes on defense, moments of brilliance on offense, and a late flurry from the Blues that made sure this one was still up in the air.
The Gunners won because they were in charge early on and finished their chances well. Chelsea fought back late on, thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s two goals, which kept the tie alive and promised an exciting second leg. Here’s a closer look at what happened in the Chelsea vs. Arsenal game and what it means for both teams.
Early Arsenal Control Sets the Mood
From the start of Chelsea vs. Arsenal, Arsenal were in control. The Gunners took charge and scored in the seventh minute when Ben White headed in a corner kick from Declan Rice at the far post. The early goal quieted the Stamford Bridge crowd and rewarded Arsenal for being aggressive at the start of the game.
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That early lead showed what Arsenal wanted to do in the first half: press high, move the ball quickly, and take advantage of the set-piece skills they’ve worked on this season.
In his first home game as manager, Liam Rosenior wanted to build confidence and structure in the Chelsea team. However, the early setback put the hosts on the back foot.
Arsenal Extend Lead After Break Through Gyokeres
Arsenal kept looking for chances at the start of the second half of the Chelsea vs. Arsenal match. Their pressure paid off in the 49th minute when Viktor Gyokeres scored again, giving the visitors a two-goal lead.
Robert Sánchez, Chelsea’s goalkeeper, made a mistake when he tried to clear the ball, which led to the goal. This was a rare chance for Gyokeres to score in open play after a long wait.
Gyokeres’ finish was sharp and precise, showing how dangerous Arsenal can be when they quickly go from defense to attack. At that point, the Gunners looked like they were on their way to a comfortable lead back to North London, especially since Chelsea hadn’t found a consistent way to attack yet.
Chelsea Fights Back—Garnacho Sparks the Blues
But, in a strange turn of events, Chelsea vs. Arsenal came back to life just a few minutes later. Chelsea brought Alejandro Garnacho on as a substitute, and the Argentine forward scored after some good buildup play in the 57th minute to make it 2–1.
This was the exact moment that changed the tide. Chelsea, now with more confidence and a stronger attack, started to move up the field. Rosenior’s choice to bring on Garnacho paid off because the substitute’s energy and finishing skills gave the home fans hope again.
Zubimendi Restores Arsenal’s Two-goal Lead
Just when it looked like Chelsea might be able to tie the game, Arsenal scored again, showing how back and forth this Chelsea vs. Arsenal game had been. Martin Zubimendi scored Arsenal’s third goal of the night in the 71st minute with a calm and strong finish from inside the box.
Zubimendi’s strike came after some intricate link-up play and confirmed Arsenal’s resilience in key attacking moments. The Gunners’ ability to get back their two-goal lead after Chelsea scored showed how well manager Mikel Arteta’s team was at following instructions and being precise.
Late Chelsea Comeback Keeps Tie Alive
But the drama between Chelsea and Arsenal was far from over. Chelsea kept pushing for another answer, and once again, Garnacho came through. He took advantage of a half-cleared corner in the 83rd minute to score the Blues’ second goal, bringing the score to 3-2 and keeping the tie very much alive.
The late goal fired up the Stamford Bridge crowd and gave Rosenior’s team the confidence and momentum they needed to go into the second leg. Chelsea had been tough throughout the game, and their late comeback makes it seem like the return match in February will be just as interesting.
Key Performances and Tactical Insights
There were a lot of great performances in the Chelsea vs. Arsenal game. White’s early goal and Gyokeres’ rare finish showed how well Arsenal could attack, and Zubimendi’s calm strike showed how well Arteta has developed the midfield.
Garnacho was clearly Chelsea’s best player. His two goals gave the Blues a chance to win and showed how much he could do off the bench. His arrival in the second half changed the game, giving Chelsea a new attacking threat that put Arsenal’s defense to the test.
Arsenal took advantage of Chelsea’s weaknesses on defense, especially when it came to set pieces and mistakes by Sánchez. In the end, Arsenal’s ability to take advantage of these kinds of situations gave them the edge in this first leg of Chelsea vs. Arsenal.
A Quick Look at the Derby Stats
Looking more closely at the numbers from Chelsea vs. Arsenal shows that Arsenal’s offense was better, even though the score was close. The Gunners had more total shots and a higher expected goals (xG) number, which showed that they were a bigger attacking threat overall that night.
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Chelsea had more of the ball, but it was hard for them to turn pressure into clear scoring chances until Garnacho stepped in. As expected in a derby of this level, both teams committed fouls and had several players booked. The competitive intensity was clear throughout the match.
What the Result Means for the Tie
Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Chelsea gives them a small edge going into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Even though a one-goal lead might not seem like much, it’s a good starting point for the Gunners, especially since they’ve been unbeaten at home in all competitions this season.
Chelsea still has a lot to play for after this result. Garnacho’s two goals and the fact that they scored twice away from home, which is very important in two-legged ties, keep their chances alive in the second leg.
The Blues’ ability to bounce back after Arsenal’s early dominance shows that they can compete with the Premier League leaders when they get the chance.
Conclusion: Looking Forward to the Second Leg
As the second leg of Chelsea vs. Arsenal on February 3 at the Emirates gets closer, both managers will be thinking about what they learned from the first game.
Arteta will be happy with how well Arsenal plays and how well they handle changes in momentum. Rosenior, on the other hand, will be happy with Chelsea’s almost comeback and the potential of his team when they are all working together.
The second leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final will be very interesting, with the winner moving on to the final at Wembley. The tie is still alive and only one goal separates the two teams, so there is sure to be more drama in what has already been an exciting Chelsea vs. Arsenal chapter this season.
