Arsenal Advances to League Cup Final After Defeating Chelsea

Havertz haunts former club as Arsenal reach first final under Arteta

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup semifinal, with Kai Havertz scoring against his former club to send the Gunners to their first final under manager Mikel Arteta. The victory is another milestone in what is shaping up to be a standout season for Arsenal.

Why it matters

Arsenal's run to the League Cup final represents a significant step forward for the club under Arteta's leadership, as they look to end their trophy drought and establish themselves as a top contender once again. The win over Chelsea also demonstrates Arsenal's ability to win big matches against fellow top clubs.

The details

Kai Havertz, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer, scored the opening goal against his former employers to give the Gunners the lead. Chelsea equalized through Conor Gallagher, but Arsenal sealed the victory with a late goal from Emile Smith Rowe. The win sets up a League Cup final showdown for Arsenal, who will be aiming to lift their first major trophy since 2017.

  • The semifinal match was played on February 2, 2026.

The players

Kai Havertz

A German international who joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

Mikel Arteta

The manager of Arsenal, who is in his fourth season in charge of the club.

Emile Smith Rowe

An English midfielder who scored the winning goal for Arsenal in the semifinal.

Conor Gallagher

An English midfielder who scored the equalizing goal for Chelsea in the match.

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What they’re saying

“It's a massive win for us, not just because it's a derby but because it takes us to a final. The players deserve all the credit, they were exceptional tonight.”

— Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager

What’s next

Arsenal will face the winner of the other semifinal between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

The takeaway

Arsenal's victory over Chelsea demonstrates the progress the club has made under Mikel Arteta, as they reach their first major final since the manager's appointment. The win also highlights the impact of summer signing Kai Havertz, who scored against his former club to send the Gunners to Wembley.