Arsenal's dismal semi-final record under Mikel Arteta has been a sore spot for the team, but their recent 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup has brought a glimmer of hope. The Gunners, who have failed to win a single leg in their previous four two-legged semi-finals, are now just one game away from securing a spot in their first major final since their FA Cup triumph in 2020. With this win, Arsenal has moved a step closer to ending their semi-final nightmares, and the team is eager to capitalize on this momentum.
Arteta's side has been excellent this season, topping both the Premier League and Champions League tables, and advancing to the FA Cup fourth round. This game marked their 32nd match of the season, with only two losses, both of which occurred away from home against Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League. Despite their impressive performance, Arteta and his players are left with a sense of what could have been, as they feel that the margin of their win could have been even greater.
"First of all, I have to praise the players for the performance, for the game that we just played against a really good opponent," said Arteta. "With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end after the 1-3 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different."
The win was a much-needed confidence booster for striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has struggled to find his footing since his £64m summer move from Sporting. Gyokeres' goal against Chelsea was his first from open play since November, and he also provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi's goal. The 27-year-old Swedish forward looked more like his old self, reminiscent of the player who scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting.
"That's what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going," Gyokeres said. "It's still a second leg but of course it's good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg - but we still have to do a good performance in the second match." The Gunners' defense was put to the test, but they managed to hold off Chelsea's counter-attacks, and their offense was able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
When Arsenal took a 2-0 lead, it seemed as though they were unstoppable. However, Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho pulled a goal back, making it 2-1, and the Gunners' lead was short-lived. Zubimendi's excellent finish gave Arsenal a two-goal lead for the second time in the match, but again they let it slip, allowing Garnacho to score his second goal. A two-goal lead at the Emirates, where Arsenal has not lost all season, would have put the Gunners in a commanding position, but Chelsea is still very much in the tie.
"We didn't play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure," said goalscorer Ben White. "That's how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It's a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win." Despite the position of the tie and Arteta's perceived disappointment with the late part of the game, the Arsenal boss is focused on the next challenge, their Premier League game at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
As the Gunners prepare for their next match, they will look to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the EFL Cup final. With their excellent performance this season and a renewed sense of confidence, Arsenal is poised to make a deep run in the tournament. Arteta's focus on the next challenge is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, and they will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches.
Original: BBC Sport
Image: BBC Sport
Written by Npsports
