Intro: Arsenal’s dream season continues as Havertz seals Wembley date with stoppage-time winner
London
Arsenal’s increasingly memorable season will now include a return to Wembley Stadium after Kai Havertz struck deep into stoppage time to sink former club Chelsea and send the Gunners into the English League Cup final.
Havertz’s late goal secured a 1-0 win in the semifinal second leg at the Emirates Stadium, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea. Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final on March 22, with City holding a 2-0 advantage ahead of the second leg.
The victory adds another milestone to a campaign that has seen Mikel Arteta’s side lead the Premier League by six points, top the Champions League standings with eight straight wins, and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup. Arsenal have not lifted a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020.
“The last few years we’ve been close but not quite good enough,” midfielder Declan Rice said. “This season we’ve got that extra fire to go one step further in every competition. Reaching a final with this club is special.”
Havertz, who played for Chelsea from 2020 to 2023, delivered the decisive moment after coming on as a 69th-minute substitute. Latching onto Rice’s pass on the counter, the German rounded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and calmly slotted home with virtually the last kick of a tense and scrappy contest.
Chelsea had adopted a cautious approach early on, content to soak up pressure and remain in the tie. Late introductions of Cole Palmer and Brazilian winger Estevao added intent, but Arsenal’s resolute defence restricted the visitors to long-range efforts and set-piece threats.
Arsenal are chasing a third League Cup title after triumphs in 1987 and 1993, having finished runners-up six times. Victory would mark Arteta’s second trophy as manager and further validate the club’s steady rise after several painful near-misses in recent seasons.