First Leg Semi Final

Stamford Bridge, London

Arsenal swept past Port Vale, Brighton and Crystal Palace to reach the final four for the second consecutive season, setting up a two-legged semi-final against familiar London rivals with Wembley firmly in view.

Mikel Arteta will have been mindful of precedent. The last time these sides met at this stage, in 2018, Arsenal emerged victorious thanks to a decisive Granit Xhaka strike. This time, the context felt different. Chelsea arrived in transition. Enzo Maresca had departed on New Year’s Day after 18 uneven months, replaced by Liam Rosenior on a long-term deal. 

Chelsea were already weakened: no Palmer, no James, no Caicedo. Arsenal, meanwhile, rotated heavily. Arteta made eight changes and indulged in a little theatre beforehand, casting doubt over the availability of Trossard and Saliba—both of whom started. He had also consulted throw-in specialist Thomas Grønnemark during the week. The marginal gains were about to matter.

From the opening exchanges, Arsenal looked composed. The first corner silenced the home crowd: Rice delivered, Sanchez hesitated, and Ben White arrived unmarked to head home. It was Arsenal’s 24th set-piece goal of the season—no coincidence.

Chelsea responded with possession but little incision. Enzo Fernández tested Kepa from range, while Arsenal repeatedly exploited the space behind Chelsea’s unsettled defence. Saliba, outstanding in distribution, dictated tempo from deep, completing more passes than any teammate in the first half.

Trossard embodied Arsenal’s confidence. On 28 minutes, he surged down the flank, was felled, recovered, beat three defenders and crossed—an act of persistence more than flair.

Arsenal struck again early in the second half. A quick throw released Saka, who returned the ball to White. His low cross spilled from Sanchez’s grasp, and Gyökeres tapped in on 49 minutes—an appropriately symbolic number.

Chelsea briefly rallied through Garnacho, but Arsenal’s response was ruthless. Introduced moments earlier, Mikel Merino linked play intelligently before Gyökeres teed up Zubimendi, who calmly placed Arsenal’s third.

A late Chelsea goal ensured tension rather than comfort, but Arsenal held firm. The job is only half done—but the advantage, and the authority, now belongs to Arteta’s side..

Chelsea 2 – 3 Arsenal 

 (B. White 7’, V. Gyökeres 16’, A. Garnacho 57’, 83’, M. Zubimendi 71’)