Arsenal booked their place at Wembley Stadium for the first time in six years, defeating Chelsea 1-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium — a night that unfolded along a tension-filled Chelsea F.C. vs Arsenal F.C. timeline that only exploded into life deep into stoppage time.
Kick-off came at 3:00 PM local time in front of 59,452 supporters in north London, with Arsenal already holding a commanding 3-2 aggregate lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
First Half Timeline: Chelsea’s Defensive Masterclass
Liam Rosenior’s side arrived at the Emirates with a clear game plan — frustrate, absorb, and deny.
Chelsea deployed five defenders across the backline, crowding Arsenal’s channels and neutralising the hosts’ creative threat for long stretches.
Piero Hincapié produced the only genuine attempt on target in the first half when he forced goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a save from range on 18 minutes.
Arsenal’s well-documented set-piece threat was similarly nullified, as Chelsea pushed players forward from corners and disrupted the hosts’ routines.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga punched clear Enzo Fernández’s strike from distance as the half drew to a close, ensuring the score remained level at the break.
- Arsenal formed in a 4-3-3, Chelsea in a 3-5-2
- Hincapié the sole first-half shot on target
- Chelsea’s corner strategy effectively blunted Arsenal’s set-piece danger
- Score at half-time: Arsenal 0–0 Chelsea (Arsenal 3–2 on aggregate)
Second Half Pressure Mounts in the Chelsea F.C. vs Arsenal F.C. Timeline
Chelsea introduced Cole Palmer and Estêvão on the hour mark in a bid to inject attacking momentum and claw back the aggregate deficit.
Marc Cucurella and Fernández both tried their luck from range without troubling Kepa.
Declan Rice was seen urging teammates and the crowd to stay composed as the game became increasingly feisty.
With 14 minutes remaining, Gabriel headed wide from a Zubimendi cross, having been denied by Cucurella’s intervention.
Wesley Fofana’s glancing flick from a corner flashed past Kepa’s near post as the visitors pushed desperately, and Fernández fired high and wide in the 90th minute with six additional minutes signalled.
- Chelsea substitutions: Palmer (60′), Estêvão (60′)
- Cucurella’s intervention denied Gabriel a near-certain goal
- Fofana corner flick and Fernández effort both wasted in late pressure
- Arsenal possession: 44.2% — Chelsea: 55.8%
Havertz the Hero — Late Strike Seals Wembley Trip
The decisive moment arrived in the 97th minute.
Declan Rice fed Kai Havertz — the former Chelsea forward — on the right side of the six-yard box, and he rounded Sánchez before slotting coolly into the centre of the goal.
It sent the Emirates into raptures and confirmed Arsenal’s progression 4-2 on aggregate.
For Havertz, scoring against his former club to send Arsenal to a major final carried an obvious emotional weight.
Arsenal will now face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22.
- Final score: Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea (4-2 on aggregate)
- Goal: Kai Havertz (90’+7), assisted by Declan Rice
- Referee: Peter Bankes | Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Arsenal’s first major final since the FA Cup in 2020
Full Match Timeline
| Time | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Kick-off | Match begins | 3:00 PM, Emirates Stadium |
| 18′ | Shot on target | Hincapié forces Kepa save |
| ~45′ | Save | Kepa punches clear Fernández effort |
| HT | Half-time | 0-0 (Arsenal 3-2 agg.) |
| 56′ | Second half resumes | — |
| 60′ | Chelsea substitutions | Palmer & Estêvão introduced |
| 68′ | Chelsea range effort | Cucurella shot off target |
| 69′ | Chelsea range effort | Fernández shot off target |
| 71′ | Arsenal chance | Gabriel header cleared by Cucurella |
| 75′ | Chelsea chance | Fofana flick past near post |
| 87′ | Chelsea pressure | Fernández high and wide |
| 90’+7 | GOAL — Arsenal | Havertz rounds Sánchez, 1-0 |
| 90’+9 | Full-time | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (4-2 agg.) |
Match Statistics
| Stat | Arsenal | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 44.2% | 55.8% |
| Shots on Goal | 2 | 2 |
| Shot Attempts | 5 | 14 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 3 |
| Corner Kicks | 2 | 5 |
| Saves | 2 | 1 |