After six long years, Arsenal is back in a cup final. This moment holds significance beyond the match itself—Kai Havertz scored another comeback goal, a player viewed by many as a crucial asset for the team.
In a match that lacked excitement, Havertz alleviated any lingering nerves by rounding Robert Sanchez in stoppage time to secure a 1-0 win, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate score that propelled Arsenal into the Carabao Cup final.
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Manager Mikel Arteta and his team can celebrate this achievement, which could pave the way for breaking new ground this season. Winning a second trophy under Arteta, and the first for this squad, is now a tangible goal. They are finally heading back to Wembley.
However, few will remember this particular match.
Kai Havertz struck in stoppage time to win the game and secure a place at Wembley (Reuters)
In football, it’s often said that semi-finalists are forgotten, and the same may be true for this one. Even the momentary tension from a possible equalizer off a Cole Palmer free-kick was diminished by technical interruptions.
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Arsenal had laid the groundwork in the first leg, where Arteta believed they should have won by at least three goals, a sentiment echoed to his players post-match. In contrast, Liam Rosenior may consider the timing of that match unfortunate given its early placement in his tenure.
With a better understanding of his team’s tactical framework, Rosenior’s side put forth a more organized effort in this encounter. However, they couldn’t overcome their initial 3-2 deficit, which Arsenal ultimately capitalized on.
Mikel Arteta, right, leads his Arsenal squad to their first cup final in six years (PA)
The first leg at Stamford Bridge was far more thrilling, while this second leg did not showcase the Carabao Cup’s usual excitement.
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In recent years, the Carabao Cup has offered a more entertaining side of football, especially in the less hectic January calendar.
However, the Champions League expansion has made January the busiest month, leading top clubs to struggle with fatigue. The abundance of matches makes it challenging for teams to maintain peak performance as shown throughout this match where players frequently squandered scoring opportunities, with Enzo Fernandez notably misfiring on multiple occasions.
What this match highlighted was the downside of having too much football. It transformed what should’ve been an exciting knockout encounter into a display reminiscent of a typical Premier League match. It was a tactical battle between two managers, both trying to outsmart each other, making individual play seem almost secondary.
For instance, Chelsea’s later attempts to stage a comeback appeared lackluster, as if they were content to settle for a draw rather than pursue the necessary win.
Rosenior’s initial decision to employ a three-man defense effectively neutralized Viktor Gyokeres, prompting Arteta to adjust by repositioning Gabriel Martinelli closer to the center of play.
Liam Rosenior’s tactical plan didn’t pay off for Chelsea (AP)
There were warning signs for Chelsea early on when a Brazilian player broke through, albeit Guerrero managed to block the shot effectively. The best response Rosenior’s team had was a long-range strike from Fernandez, which Arizabalaga deflected away.
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One interesting tactic from Chelsea was to position three players near the halfway line for an Arsenal corner, hoping to disrupt Arsenal’s typically chaotic set-piece effectiveness. Although Jurrien Timber still came close to scoring.
Despite some skepticism surrounding Rosenior’s off-pitch remarks, his on-pitch strategies have been commendable—demonstrating a capacity to solve tactical issues as showcased during his time with Napoli and a previous home match against West Ham United, both of which featured strategic adjustments leading to 3-2 victories.
In this match, however, Rosenior appeared to overthink his approach. By the time he used substitutes like Cole Palmer and Estevao in the second half to alter the trajectory of play, it felt like they had prioritized tactical security over the urgency to win.
It’s worth noting that the previous decision to play Liam Delap on the right wing hadn’t worked, as he faced an impenetrable Arsenal defense most of the time. Palmer, too, has yet to hit his stride, underscored by his late free-kick miss. Ultimately, Chelsea’s late surge lacked vitality, only briefly rising above the otherwise calm flow of the game.
In response, Arteta also made a significant change by bringing on Havertz for Gyokeres, who received enthusiastic cheers as he neared full fitness.
Many at Arsenal feel that Havertz could prove to be invaluable not only in the title race but also in pursuing multiple trophies this season.
But first, they need to secure that first trophy. With his recent performances, Havertz has certainly brought them closer.