Arsenal take a 3-2 lead over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final first leg, capitalising on defensive errors to move closer to Wembley.
LONDON: Arsenal moved a step closer to Wembley with a 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
The win spoiled Liam Rosenior’s first home game in charge of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Ben White put the Premier League leaders ahead in the first half, capitalising on a set-piece.
Viktor Gyokeres then punished a glaring error by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to double the lead after the interval.
Chelsea substitute Alejandro Garnacho pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 57th minute.
Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a clinical finish in the 71st minute.
Garnacho struck again late on to give Chelsea hope, finishing from a corner in the 83rd minute.
Arsenal will now be firm favourites for the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
Manager Mikel Arteta had cited last season’s semi-final defeat to Newcastle as a key motivation.
“We also lost in the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions League, the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League,” Arteta said, highlighting their recent near-misses.
Arsenal’s opener came from their renowned set-piece strength in the seventh minute.
Declan Rice’s corner found White unmarked to head home after Sanchez mistimed his catch.
It was Arsenal’s 24th goal from a set-piece this season, the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
The second goal was a gift from Sanchez, who fumbled a simple cross to allow Gyokeres a tap-in.
Rosenior’s Chelsea were hampered by the absence of several key players including Cole Palmer.
Despite the defeat, the Chelsea manager can take heart from his team’s fightback in the second half.
