Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2026, sealing a 4-2 victory on aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a dramatic stoppage-time strike from substitute Kai Havertz, who finished a Declan Rice counterattack in the seventh minute of added time. The win sends Mikel Arteta’s side to Wembley for the final on March 22, 2026, where they will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United.
The decisive moments
The tie felt close over two legs, but the decisive facts are simple, Arsenal held a 3-2 lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, and they defended that advantage in a tense second leg that produced few clear chances. Chelsea pressed for the equaliser, but Arsenal’s defensive shape and tempo management kept the visitors at bay. In stoppage time, Declan Rice led a break, delivered the pass, and Kai Havertz rounded Robert Sánchez to slot home, a finish that ended the tie and brought instant release in the home end.
Key facts
- Score, second leg: Arsenal 1, Chelsea 0.
- Aggregate: Arsenal 4, Chelsea 2.
- Goal: Kai Havertz, 90'+7'.
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, attendance 59,452.
- Next: Carabao Cup final, Wembley, Sunday March 22, 2026.
Stats snapshot
Statistic | Arsenal | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
Possession | 44% | 56% |
Shots | 5 | 14 |
Shots on target | 2 | 2 |
Yellow cards | 0 | 3 |
Attendance | 59,452 |
The numbers underline a curious truth from the second leg, Chelsea had more of the ball and more attempts, but they produced too few clear opportunities, and Arsenal’s counter work and game management proved decisive.
Tactical reading, from two angles
Arsenal, practical and patient
Arteta set up his team with defensive discipline, and Arsenal were compact, they conceded territory, but they limited Chelsea to low-quality chances, and they picked their moments to break. Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi offered midfield control, while William Saliba and Gabriel combined quietly but effectively at the back. Substitutions paid off, with Havertz coming on to change the angles in attack, and his late movement was the difference.
Chelsea, questions to answer
Liam Rosenior’s side showed urgency, but they lacked the final pass and coherence in the final third. Injuries to key players forced tactical adjustments, and the visitors struggled to find a cutting edge despite territory and volume of attempts. The defeat raised immediate questions about personnel and creativity, and whether Rosenior can rewire Chelsea’s attack to produce higher quality chances under pressure.
This was a night when one moment, and one composure, separated two London clubs with very different fortunes.
Head to head, recent meetings
Date | Competition | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
3 Feb 2026 | Carabao Cup, semi 2nd leg | Arsenal 1-0 | Havertz 90'+7', Arsenal advance 4-2 agg |
14 Jan 2026 | Carabao Cup, semi 1st leg | Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal | Thrilling first leg at Stamford Bridge |
30 Nov 2025 | Premier League | Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal | Competitive draw at Stamford Bridge |
16 Mar 2025 | Premier League | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea | Arsenal win to keep title hopes alive |
The sequence shows a tight, competitive recent run between the clubs, with Arsenal edging the two-legged cup tie this winter.
Player notes and impact
- Kai Havertz, the late substitute, became the matchwinner, and his strike against a former club will be remembered for its timing and calm.
- Declan Rice continued to show leadership by driving the decisive counter and providing the assist.
- Chelsea missed several chances to alter the tie earlier, and injuries affected their flexibility during the second leg.
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Possible starting shapes (simplified):
Arsenal: 4 2 3 1, compact midfield, wing support, counter focus.
Chelsea: 4 3 3 or 4 2 3 1 depending on personnel, higher possession intent but lacking last pass.
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Multiple perspectives
- From Arsenal’s point of view, this result is a reward for organisation, depth, and patient game management, and it keeps the club firmly in the hunt for domestic silverware this season.
- From Chelsea’s perspective, the tie will be dissected for missed opportunities, tactical choices, and the effect of absences through injury, with supporters expecting clearer attacking solutions in coming weeks.
- Neutral observers will point to the drama of late goals as part of what keeps knockout football compelling, while also noting that the better team across two legs was likely the more efficient side rather than the more dominant in possession.
What it means, and what comes next
Arsenal now prepare for a Wembley final on March 22, 2026, where they will meet either Manchester City or Newcastle United. The victory provides momentum and a tangible route to a trophy, and it will force Arteta to balance squad rotation across the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups. Chelsea must regroup quickly, address creativity and finishing, and manage recovery for injured players ahead of an important league spell.
Takeaways for supporters and neutrals
- Arsenal’s discipline and counter ability won them the tie, and one late intervention decided a tight contest.
- Chelsea’s control of the ball was not matched by cutting opportunities, and injuries exposed depth questions in the squad.
- The Carabao Cup final at Wembley gives Arsenal a clear target, and both clubs face congested schedules that will test their squads and managers in the weeks ahead.
Final thought
Football is often decided by single moments, and on February 3, 2026, Kai Havertz supplied one of those moments, sending Arsenal to Wembley and handing Chelsea a painful exit. For Arteta and his players, it is a step toward silverware, for Rosenior it is a prompt to sharpen the attack, and for supporters of both clubs the season continues with new urgency.
Match essentials: Arsenal 1, Chelsea 0, Feb 3, 2026, Emirates Stadium, Kai Havertz 90'+7', aggregate 4-2, Carabao Cup semi-final.