Arsenal edges Chelsea in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
Mikel Arteta praised Martin Zubimendi after Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, highlighting the midfielder’s exceptional performance, reports BritPanorama.
Zubimendi scored Arsenal’s third goal and controlled midfield play throughout the match. Arteta noted his decision-making in crucial areas, asserting, “He sees the picture very clear. What he did today was phenomenal.”
Arsenal took the lead through a header from Ben White, benefiting from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s positioning error. The Gunners extended their advantage early in the second half when Sanchez mishandled a cross, enabling Viktor Gyokeres to score.
Despite Arsenal’s commanding display, Chelsea’s Alejandro Garnacho brought the Blues back into contention with two late goals, reigniting hope ahead of the return leg. Arteta acknowledged the missed opportunities that could have secured a more comfortable lead.
“It’s game on,” Arteta said, reflecting on the narrow margin, while also sharing his disappointment about not converting further chances during Arsenal’s dominant phases. He added, “The result would have been very different.”
Liam Rosenior, in his first home match as Chelsea head coach, defended Sanchez after critical mistakes but admitted the team’s struggles were compounded by significant player absences. “I’m asking Rob to do things he hasn’t done before,” he explained amid fitness concerns, noting that players like Reece James and Moises Caicedo were unavailable.
Amid player health issues, Rosenior expressed pride in his team’s effort, as they faced a challenging Arsenal side. As the fixture moves to the Emirates Stadium, the pressure builds for both teams, with Arsenal striving to maintain their lead but wary of Chelsea’s resilience.
In football, as always, it’s a reminder of how swiftly fortunes can shift; one match can weave a narrative of triumph or tribulation, and the second leg promises further drama.
