Arsenal took a slender however invaluable benefit from the primary leg of the EFL Cup semi-final after beating Chelsea 3-2 at Stamford Bridge in a chaotic conflict between the 2 Premier League rivals.
The guests made a quick begin and have been rewarded inside seven minutes. From Arsenal’s first nook of the match, Declan Rice delivered a high-quality ball into the six-yard space.
Chelsea’s marking was disorganised, Robert Sanchez hesitated off his line, and Ben White was left fully unchallenged to go into an empty web from shut vary.
A quick VAR verify for offside in opposition to Viktor Gyokeres was handed, and Arsenal had an early lead.
Chelsea tried to reply by way of large areas, with Pedro Neto and Estevao seeking to isolate Arsenal’s full-backs, however clear possibilities have been restricted.
Enzo Fernandez examined Kepa Arrizabalaga with a long-range effort that was comfortably saved, whereas Neto noticed a shot blocked by William Saliba following a uncommon Chelsea transition.
Arsenal managed a lot of the opening half by way of possession and positioning relatively than quantity of possibilities. Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi circulated the ball nicely in midfield, whereas Bukayo Saka remained a relentless outlet on the appropriate.
Targets galore within the second half
The second half started quietly, however the match turned dramatically in a seven-minute spell shortly after the restart. Within the forty ninth minute, Arsenal doubled their lead. Ben White once more superior on the overlap and delivered a low cross that Sanchez appeared set to assemble.
As an alternative, the goalkeeper spilled the ball below little stress, permitting Gyökeres to react first and slide house from just a few yards out. It was the striker’s first aim in a month and his first significant involvement of the match.
Chelsea responded with a number of substitutions, introducing Alejandro Garnacho, who made a direct influence. Ten minutes after approaching, Garnacho pulled a aim again. Neto’s cross from the appropriate evaded Fernandez on the close to submit and dropped to Garnacho on the again submit. He took a contact and drove the ball by way of Kepa’s legs to make it 2-1.
The aim lifted the house facet, and Arsenal briefly got here below sustained stress. Estevao and Garnacho carried the ball aggressively, whereas Chelsea’s full-backs pushed larger.
Nonetheless, Arsenal restored their two-goal cushion within the 71st minute with their most cohesive attacking transfer of the evening. Mikel Merino discovered Gyokeres contained in the field, and the striker confirmed composure to put the ball into the trail of Zubimendi. The midfielder shifted inside two defenders and struck a agency left-footed end past Sanchez from 12 yards.
At 3-1, Arsenal appeared nicely positioned, however the tie remained open. Chelsea refused to retreat and struck once more within the 83rd minute.
From a nook, the ball broke free inside the realm and fell to Garnacho, who adjusted shortly to half-volley a bouncing shot into the bottom. The ball skipped up and over Kepa, decreasing the deficit to 1 aim. A VAR verify for contact on the goalkeeper dominated the aim legit.
The ultimate minutes have been tense. Arsenal made late substitutions to guard their lead, whereas Chelsea pushed our bodies ahead.
Gabriel Jesus briefly gained a penalty after being caught within the space, however the resolution was overturned for offside. Neto headed straight at Kepa from a late cross, and Jurrien Timber was booked deep into stoppage time for a foul as Arsenal seemed to gradual proceedings.
After 5 added minutes, Arsenal held on to safe an important 3-2 win. They’ll take a slender benefit again to the Emirates Stadium subsequent week.
