Arsenal secured a narrow advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a 3–2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi gave the visitors a two-goal cushion on two occasions, but Chelsea remained in contention through a second-half brace from Alejandro Garnacho.
White opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading in Declan Rice’s inswinging corner. Arsenal doubled their lead early in the second half when Gyokeres converted from close range after a low cross from White. Chelsea responded on 57 minutes, with Garnacho finishing at the back post following a move involving Enzo Fernandez.
Arsenal restored their two-goal advantage in the 70th minute. A flowing passing move saw Gyokeres link play before setting up Zubimendi, who placed his shot into the bottom corner. Garnacho scored his second of the evening seven minutes from time after a partially cleared corner, setting up a tense final period, but Arsenal held on to take a one-goal lead into the return leg.
Mikel Arteta made eight changes from Arsenal’s previous match, though Declan Rice, Ben White and William Saliba retained their places. Chelsea applied pressure after falling behind early, with Fernandez and Estevao testing goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Arsenal threatened on the counter and from set pieces.
The first half was played at a high tempo, with chances at both ends. Leandro Trossard had a shot blocked from the left channel, while Saliba fired narrowly over following a set piece.
Arsenal again started quickly after the interval, capitalising on Chelsea’s defensive lapse to extend their lead. Chelsea improved after Garnacho’s first goal and pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Arsenal regained control with Zubimendi’s strike.
Despite sustained late pressure from the home side, Arsenal defended their lead to take a slender advantage into the second leg at Emirates Stadium on 3 February.
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday, 17 January, away to Nottingham Forest, before facing Inter Milan at San Siro in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 January.
On the other semifinal first leg Manchester City won 2-0 against Newcastle on Tuesday at St James’ Park.
Eight-time winners of the competition, Manchester City will now host the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on 4 February
