Arsenal vs Chelsea: Arsenal reach Carabao Cup final after 4–2 aggregate win

Arsenal booked a spot in the EFL Cup final after beating Chelsea 1–0 in the second leg of their semi-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The result sealed a 4–2 aggregate victory in the tie and sets up a return to Wembley Stadium for the season’s first major domestic final.

Chelsea entered the night needing to overturn a first-leg deficit, but Arsenal’s late winner ended the comeback bid and sent the home crowd into celebration as stoppage time ticked away.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: how the semi-final turned

The tie had been finely poised after a first-leg thriller in west London, with Arsenal carrying a one-goal advantage into the return. Chelsea pushed for an early breakthrough, but Arsenal’s shape and game management kept the match from becoming the open, transition-heavy contest Chelsea needed.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Arsenal finally turned pressure into a goal, pushing the second leg beyond Chelsea’s reach and making the aggregate margin too wide to rescue in the final seconds.

For Arsenal, it was the kind of “see-it-out” performance that often defines cup runs: measured for long spells, then ruthless at the moment that mattered most.

What the result means for both clubs

For Arsenal, the win delivers a clear, near-term target: a trophy opportunity at Wembley on Sunday, March 22, 2026. It also extends a narrative that has followed the team for years—turning strong league form into silverware—and provides a psychological boost ahead of the next wave of fixtures across competitions.

For Chelsea, the loss is a setback in a competition that can offer a fast track to a domestic trophy and European qualification. The performance may still offer positives—particularly in defensive resilience and spells of control—but the margin for error across two legs proved costly, especially after conceding late.

The other semi-final (between Manchester City and Newcastle) will determine Arsenal’s opponent in the final.

Match details at a glance

Where to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea and Carabao Cup coverage

Broadcast and streaming rights for the EFL Cup vary by country, and the exact options can change from round to round. If you’re searching “where to watch Arsenal F.C. vs Chelsea F.C.”, the most reliable path is to confirm the rights holder for your location on match day.

A few practical ways to check quickly without guesswork:

• Look up the fixture in your TV provider’s live-sports listings by competition name (EFL Cup / Carabao Cup).

• Check each club’s official match center page, which typically lists the regional broadcasters and radio options for that specific game.

• Use the competition organizer’s “how to watch” page for country-by-country listings.

If you missed the match live, highlight packages are commonly available shortly after full time through official club channels and the competition’s official hub, with longer replay availability depending on your region’s rights partner.

What to watch next as the final approaches

Two things stand out from this tie as the final nears.

First, Arsenal showed they can win tight, high-pressure games without needing a high-scoring night—an important trait for a one-off final at Wembley. If that defensive discipline holds, it raises their floor in knockout matches.

Second, Chelsea’s inability to force the tie into a chaotic, end-to-end rhythm underscores how difficult it is to chase two-leg deficits against organized opponents. The next step is translating promising phases into earlier, higher-quality chances—because leaving the door open late is a dangerous strategy against top sides.

With the final date set for March 22, attention now shifts to who joins Arsenal at Wembley—and how both finalists manage squad rotation and injuries through a packed stretch of fixtures.

Sources consulted: English Football League; Arsenal; Chelsea; ESPN