Arsenal booked their place in the League Cup final for the first time in eight years after Kai Havertz struck late to seal a 1–0 victory over Chelsea in Tuesday’s semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side had established the advantage in the first leg, and substitute Havertz completed the job in stoppage time, rounding goalkeeper Robert Sanchez before slotting into an empty net.

The result marked a cathartic moment for the Gunners, who had lost their previous four semi-finals across competitions, including the 2025 Champions League and League Cup, the 2022 League Cup, and the 2021 Europa League.

Arsenal will now face either Manchester City or Newcastle United at Wembley on March 22. City carry a 2–0 advantage into Wednesday’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

The North London club have not won the League Cup since 1993 and have lost their last three appearances in the final. Victory this season would deliver their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup and only the second piece of silverware of Arteta’s tenure, which began in December 2019.

It is already shaping up to be a promising campaign for Arsenal, who sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and advanced to the Champions League round of 16 after winning all eight of their group matches.

Despite those achievements, critics have questioned the team’s reliance on set-pieces. Arteta dismissed such concerns this week, insisting his side remain among the most exciting in Europe.

The semi-final itself was a scrappy contest. Without captain Martin Ødegaard, sidelined by injury, and winger Bukayo Saka, who suffered a knock during the warm-up at Leeds on Saturday, Arsenal were below their fluent best but still ground out the result.

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior, who had won six of his first seven matches since replacing Enzo Maresca, deployed a three-man central defence and initially succeeded in stifling Arsenal.

Heavy rain disrupted the rhythm of the first half. Piero Hincapié forced Sanchez into a save, while Malo Gusto recovered to block Gabriel Martinelli after a defensive error. Chelsea registered their first effort on target only in the 43rd minute, when Enzo Fernandez’s long-range strike was punched clear by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

After the interval, Liam Delap missed from close range before Rosenior introduced Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian in search of greater attacking impetus. Although Estevao set up Fernandez for a shot that flashed over the bar, Chelsea struggled to create clear chances.

Havertz ultimately delivered the decisive moment in stoppage time, finishing off a swift counter-attack to send Arsenal to Wembley.