Arsenal’s Havertz Sends Gunners to Wembley Carabao Cup Final

Key Points

• Kai Havertz scored a last-gasp winner in stoppage time to send Arsenal through to the Carabao Cup final.
• Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal defeated Chelsea in a two-legged semi-final tie, banishing their rivals on a memorable night at the Emirates Stadium.
• This marks Arsenal’s first Wembley appearance in the League Cup since 2018 and Arteta’s first cup final in his seven-year tenure at the club.
• The victory boosts Arsenal’s hopes of securing their first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup triumph, Arteta’s second major trophy with the Gunners.
• Arteta praised Havertz’s “glorious” contribution and hailed the team’s extraordinary performance over both legs against a “very competitive” Chelsea side.
• The Arsenal manager expressed delight at reaching Wembley, noting the hard work over recent years and the electric atmosphere created by the fans.
• Arteta highlighted the collective celebration of players, staff, and supporters, underscoring how much the achievement means to the club.

North London, Emirates Stadium (North London News) – February 4, 2026 – Kai Havertz’s dramatic stoppage-time winner propelled Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal into the Carabao Cup final, ending Chelsea’s hopes in a thrilling semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

The German forward’s late strike secured a hard-fought victory for the Gunners, who had dominated proceedings over the two legs against their fierce rivals. This triumph marks the first time Arsenal have reached a Wembley showpiece in the League Cup since 2018, fuelling dreams of silverware after a five-year drought since their last FA Cup success in 2020.

A delighted Arteta, in his seventh year at the helm of the North London giants, lauded his team’s resilience and the electric atmosphere that propelled them forward. On a glorious evening under the Emirates floodlights, Arsenal banished Chelsea, igniting hopes of ending their trophy famine with what would be Arteta’s second major honour as manager.

What Made Havertz’s Goal So Pivotal?

Kai Havertz emerged as the hero of the night, netting the decisive goal in stoppage time to send Arsenal through to Wembley. His last-gasp intervention came at a moment when the tie hung in the balance, turning potential heartbreak into unbridled joy for the home supporters.

As reported in the original coverage, Havertz’s strike was nothing short of glorious, capping a performance that embodied Arsenal’s relentless spirit. Mikel Arteta singled out the forward for special praise, hailing him as a key figure in the Gunners’ push for glory.

The goal not only sealed progression but also underscored Havertz’s growing importance to Arteta’s project, transforming a tense evening into one of celebration amid the Emirates roar.

How Did Mikel Arteta Guide Arsenal to Their First Cup Final?

Mikel Arteta has now guided Arsenal to their first cup final during his seven-year tenure at the North London giants. The Spaniard, who took charge in December 2019, has rebuilt the club from mid-table struggles into consistent title challengers, and this Carabao Cup final represents a pivotal milestone.

Arteta’s tactical acumen shone through over the two legs, where Arsenal outclassed a competitive Chelsea side. As per the match report, the manager reflected on the journey:

“I can’t wait because we’ve been working really hard over the last few years. We’ve been very close many times and we really want to enjoy that moment.”

He continued, expressing profound happiness:

“[I’m] very happy, especially the way we ended up at the end with Kai’s goal and the celebration of the players and staff, all together, because we knew how much it means.”

Arteta’s words captured the emotional weight of the achievement, marking a significant step towards ending Arsenal’s wait for major silverware.

Why Is This Victory a Boost for Arsenal’s Trophy Hopes?

On a glorious Emirates evening, Arsenal banished Chelsea to boost hopes of a first piece of silverware since their FA Cup victory in 2020. This success under Arteta – just his second major trophy potential in his time at the club – reignites belief in a domestic double or even more.

The Gunners’ performance demonstrated maturity and firepower, qualities that have been building since their near-misses in recent Premier League seasons. Arteta emphasised the collective effort:

“We really wanted to get to Wembley. I think overall, on the two legs, I think the team was extraordinary.”

He added, praising the opposition: “I think we really deserved to be where we are and we play against a team that is very, very competitive and very difficult.” This verdict highlights Arsenal’s dominance, positioning them as favourites for the final and alleviating pressure after years of promise without payoff.

What Role Did the Fans Play in Arsenal’s Triumph?

Arteta reserved special thanks for the Emirates faithful, whose atmosphere proved decisive.

“With our people, I must say that the atmosphere they created was amazing tonight,”

the manager stated post-match. “

We are where we want to be, so we’re going to be in Wembley in a few weeks’ time.”

The supporters’ energy transformed the stadium into a cauldron of noise, particularly as the game entered its frantic closing stages. Their backing not only lifted the players but also intimidated Chelsea, contributing to Havertz’s moment of magic.

This fan-manager synergy has become a hallmark of Arteta’s reign, fostering a sense of unity that propelled Arsenal past their London rivals.

When Is Arsenal’s Wembley Showpiece and Who Might They Face?

Looking forward to the prospect of a Wembley showpiece final for the first time in the League Cup since 2018, Arsenal now prepare for a March date at the national stadium. The exact opponents remain to be determined, pending the other semi-final outcome, but the Gunners enter as strong contenders.

Arteta’s excitement was palpable:

“We really wanted to get to Wembley.”

His comments reflect a club poised to seize the moment after multiple near-misses in cup competitions.

The final represents a golden opportunity to etch Arteta’s name further into Arsenal folklore, with Wembley beckoning in the spring sunshine.

How Does This Fit into Arteta’s Seven-Year Tenure?

Arteta’s journey at Arsenal has been one of transformation. Arriving amid crisis, he stabilised the ship, won the FA Cup in 2020, and has since elevated the team to Premier League frontrunners. This Carabao Cup final is his first such showpiece in the competition, underscoring his growth.

“We’ve been very close many times,”

Arteta noted, alluding to semi-final heartbreaks and final defeats in other tournaments. Yet, over the two legs against Chelsea, his side was “extraordinary,” deserving their place on merit.

The victory validates Arteta’s methods – high pressing, youth integration, and unyielding belief – setting the stage for what could be a defining season.

What Did Arteta Say About the Team’s Performance?

Delving deeper into Arteta’s post-match reflections, he dissected the semi-final with characteristic candour.

“I think overall, on the two legs, I think the team was extraordinary,”

he affirmed, crediting their superiority against a tough foe.

On the finale:

“We really wanted to get to Wembley… we play against a team that is very, very competitive and very difficult.”

These statements, drawn directly from the Emirates press room, paint a picture of justified confidence.

Arteta’s joy stemmed from the holistic triumph: players, staff, and fans united in celebration, a testament to the culture he has instilled.

Why Was the Emirates Atmosphere Described as Glorious?

The evening’s magic extended beyond the pitch, with the Emirates bathed in a “glorious” ambiance. Arteta captured it perfectly:

“The atmosphere they created was amazing tonight.”

This fervent support mirrored Arsenal’s on-field dominance, creating an intimidating environment for Chelsea. It was the kind of night that North London dreams are made of, propelling the Gunners to Wembley.

Such occasions reinforce why the Emirates remains a fortress, especially in knockout ties.

What Are the Broader Implications for Arsenal’s Season?

Reaching Wembley injects momentum into Arsenal’s campaign across multiple fronts. With the Premier League title race heating up and European commitments, this cup run provides a realistic shot at glory.

Arteta’s vision – blending youth with experience – bore fruit against Chelsea, hinting at deeper squad strength. “We’ve been working really hard over the last few years,” he reminded, eyes now on the final prize.

For supporters, it’s vindication after years of patience, positioning Arsenal as genuine contenders once more.