Arsenal's semi-final record under manager Mikel Arteta has not made for pretty reading, but the Gunners' 3-2 win at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup has moved them one game away from a first major final since their FA Cup triumph in 2020. After failing to win even one leg in their previous four two-legged semis, Arsenal's victory marks a significant shift in their fortunes.
The Gunners had lost their past four semi-finals over two legs, scoring just two goals in total. However, Arteta's side have been excellent this season - top of both the Premier League and Champions League, and through to the FA Cup fourth round. This game was Arsenal's 32nd of the season and they have only lost twice, both away from home to Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Arteta praised his players for their performance, saying that with so much quality on that pitch, they had the feeling at the end after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that they had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different. The manager acknowledged that Chelsea created pressure in the second half, but ultimately praised his team's win.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres has not enjoyed the start to his Arsenal career he must have wanted since his £64m summer move from Sporting. However, his performance against Chelsea was a welcome return to form, and he provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi who scored Arsenal's third goal. After a goalless drought in open play, Gyokeres looked like his old self, scoring the equaliser and providing an assist.
The question now is whether this win will be enough to see Arsenal through to the final? The answer could have been yes if they had held onto their two-goal lead. Chelsea came back from 2-0 down to level the tie at 2-1, before Zubimendi's late winner sealed a dramatic comeback for the Gunners. While Arteta has expressed disappointment with the late part of the game, he is focusing on the next challenge - Arsenal's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
In the end, while it could have been better, this win marked a significant step forward for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. The Gunners will now be heavy favourites to reach their first major final since 2020, but they must ensure that they do not repeat their mistakes and let the opposition back into the tie.
The Gunners had lost their past four semi-finals over two legs, scoring just two goals in total. However, Arteta's side have been excellent this season - top of both the Premier League and Champions League, and through to the FA Cup fourth round. This game was Arsenal's 32nd of the season and they have only lost twice, both away from home to Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Arteta praised his players for their performance, saying that with so much quality on that pitch, they had the feeling at the end after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that they had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different. The manager acknowledged that Chelsea created pressure in the second half, but ultimately praised his team's win.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres has not enjoyed the start to his Arsenal career he must have wanted since his £64m summer move from Sporting. However, his performance against Chelsea was a welcome return to form, and he provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi who scored Arsenal's third goal. After a goalless drought in open play, Gyokeres looked like his old self, scoring the equaliser and providing an assist.
The question now is whether this win will be enough to see Arsenal through to the final? The answer could have been yes if they had held onto their two-goal lead. Chelsea came back from 2-0 down to level the tie at 2-1, before Zubimendi's late winner sealed a dramatic comeback for the Gunners. While Arteta has expressed disappointment with the late part of the game, he is focusing on the next challenge - Arsenal's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
In the end, while it could have been better, this win marked a significant step forward for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. The Gunners will now be heavy favourites to reach their first major final since 2020, but they must ensure that they do not repeat their mistakes and let the opposition back into the tie.
Like, how did they even win this game?! 
Arteta's got some serious magic tricks up his sleeve, lol. Seriously though, Gyokeres finally broke out of that slump and he played like a completely different player - nice to see him back in form! 
And Zubimendi's goal was CRAZY at the end! 
Can't wait to see how they do against Nottingham Forest on Sat 
. Their manager Mikel Arteta has done a great job so far this season, but you can't help feeling like they're gonna blow it sometimes. Like with that 2-0 lead in the Carabao Cup final and still losing to Chelsea. It was a crazy comeback, but at the same time, its not exactly reassuring when they need to hold onto a 2-goal lead.
. And let's be real, if he doesn't score that equalizer, we're talking about a different story altogether 
. Anyways, its on to the next game now and they gotta keep this momentum going. The Premier League game against Nottingham Forest is gonna be tough, but I think Arsenal's got it in them 
! Going from losing four semis in a row to now being just one game away from a major final is insane 
. Viktor Gyokeres is finally showing what he can do after that crazy transfer fee 
, and I'm so glad he scored the equalizer again 
. Now, it's all about staying focused for the next game against Nottingham Forest 
... can they keep this momentum going? 
️
They've been looking really strong this season, especially with Arteta at the helm. That comeback against Chelsea was insane! Viktor Gyokeres definitely had a decent game after his rough start - fingers crossed he can get back into form soon 
. One minute they're getting thrashed at home, next they're coming from behind to win a semi-final. I mean, it's crazy how much difference a few players can make. And Gyokeres is finally back in form 
. I mean, it's just one win in the Carabao Cup, but it does show that Arteta's team is on the up 
. But let's not get too excited, they're still struggling with injuries and their squad depth is an issue 
. Still, it was a nice performance and they'll likely make it to the final. Now let's talk about something really depressing... did you see that article about the effects of ocean acidification on marine life? 
️ So I'm seeing this as a huge turning point for Arsenal! They've been through so much with their semi-final record, but now they're one game away from a major final 
I'm glad to see Arsenal finally breaking through after all those semi-final struggles. Mikel Arteta's team has been on fire this season and it's about time they paid off against Chelsea 
!