Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi celebrates after scoring his facet’s third aim through the English League Cup semifinal first leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal in London, on January 14, 2026
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Arsenal edged in the direction of their first League Cup closing since 2018 as they beat London rivals Chelsea 3-2 within the opening leg of their semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s facet have been dominant for lengthy spells and targets by Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi ought to have just about sewn up the tie.
However Chelsea confirmed loads of combat in Liam Rosenior’s first house sport in cost and a double from substitute Alejandro Garnacho stored their hopes alive.
With 17 aim makes an attempt in comparison with Chelsea’s 10, Arsenal will really feel they need to have gone house with a much bigger margin of victory and will probably be all to play for in north London on February 3.
“We did not play very properly within the second half,” White mentioned. “We allow them to stress us and it wasn’t as much as our requirements so a bit disappointing within the second half. But it surely’s a win.”
Prime of the Premier League and the Champions League and into the fourth spherical of the FA Cup, Arsenal are nonetheless in rivalry for 4 trophies, however the League Cup represents the earliest likelihood to win their first silverware since 2020.
They actually started as in the event that they have been decided to guide a Wembley date and took the lead after seven minutes with the type of aim that has turn out to be their trademark this season.
Declan Rice swung in a nook and with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez and his defenders struggling, White had area to move down and into the web.
Uncommon Gyokores aim
Chelsea huffed and puffed in response however didn’t appear to be troubling Arsenal and located themselves in actual hassle shortly after the break as big-money summer time signing Gyokores netted for simply the second time in his final 11 appearances.
Sanchez fumbled White’s low cross and the ball squirmed free for the Swede to faucet in.
Rosenior reacted by sending on Garnacho and he made a right away impression as Pedro Neto’s cross reached him past the far put up and he steadied himself earlier than firing in from an angle. Chelsea have been re-energised however Arsenal picked them off within the 71st minute with Gyokores this time turning supplier with a ball inside to Zubimendi who confirmed nice composure earlier than sending a rasping shot previous Sanchez.
That appeared to have knocked the stuffing out of the hosts however Garnacho remained energetic and when the ball dropped to him on the sting of the world he bounced a shot by a crowd late on.
Manchester Metropolis beat Newcastle United 2-0 within the first leg of the opposite semi-final on Tuesday.
Revealed – January 15, 2026 04:44 am IST
