Arsenal Reach Carabao Cup Final as Arteta Eyes End to Nearly

Published: 04 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

For nearly six years, the story of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has been one of promise without payoff, of steady progress punctuated by painful near-misses. Semi-final exits became an unwanted habit, title challenges fizzled out at the final hurdle, and the tag of football’s “nearly men” clung stubbornly to a club desperate to reassert itself among England’s elite. On a tense Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, that narrative finally shifted, even if only slightly, as Arsenal secured a 4–2 aggregate victory over Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup final and their first major showpiece under Arteta since 2020.

The match itself will not live long in the memory for its quality. It was tight, often cagey, and short on clear chances, with both sides managing just two shots on target across 90 minutes. Yet football history is rarely shaped by spectacle alone. As Kai Havertz slid home an injury-time goal to seal the tie, the eruption of noise from the stands told its own story. This was about release, about validation, and about the sense that a long, painstaking rebuild might finally be approaching its moment of reward.

For Arsenal, this was more than just a place at Wembley. It was the end of a barren run in knockout football that had weighed heavily on players, staff and supporters alike. Since lifting the FA Cup in the summer of 2020, Arteta’s side had reached four semi-finals and lost every single one, often meekly. They had not even managed to win a leg in those ties, a statistic that fed the perception of a team unable to deliver when the stakes were highest. Seeing out the job against Chelsea, with composure rather than flair, may prove to be a defining psychological step.

Arteta was keen to stress the emotional importance of the occasion. He spoke of a “special atmosphere” inside the Emirates and of how moments like this sustain a squad grinding through the relentless rhythm of modern football. For a manager who has spent years laying foundations, refining an identity and preaching patience, the final represents tangible evidence that the process is yielding results. It is only his second final in charge of the club, but it comes at a time when expectations have never been higher.

Those expectations are shaped by Arsenal’s broader trajectory. Over the past three or four seasons, the Gunners have been regular contenders at the top end of the Premier League. They have led title races deep into campaigns, only to fall away late, often under the combined weight of pressure, injuries and inexperience. Each failure intensified scrutiny on Arteta, with critics questioning whether his project would ever produce silverware to match its aesthetic appeal.

Midfielder Declan Rice captured the mood inside the dressing room when he spoke of an “extra desire and fire” this season. Rice, signed as a statement of intent, embodies the blend of quality and mentality Arsenal believe will carry them over the line. His words hinted at a collective understanding that progress alone is no longer enough. This squad, now seasoned by disappointment, knows it must convert potential into trophies.

The Carabao Cup final on 22 March offers a chance to do exactly that. Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United, both formidable opponents in their own right. A meeting with City would carry an added layer of narrative, recalling the 2018 final when Guardiola’s side swept Arsenal aside and Arteta watched from the opposition bench as part of City’s coaching staff. Victory this time would not only end a 33-year wait for a League Cup triumph but would also symbolise Arsenal stepping out from under the shadow of their former mentors.

Former players and pundits sense the significance of the moment. Ex-defender Matt Upson described the achievement as “years in the making,” highlighting the steady accumulation of belief and togetherness within the squad. That sense of unity was evident against Chelsea, where Arsenal looked controlled and rarely troubled, even when the game threatened to drift into frustration. It was a performance built on discipline rather than inspiration, perhaps the hallmark of a side learning how to win ugly.

There is also a broader context to consider. Early silverware can have a transformative effect on a season. Seven of the last 12 EFL Cup winners have gone on to claim at least one more trophy in the same campaign, suggesting momentum matters. For a team juggling domestic and European ambitions, lifting a cup in March can reinforce confidence, ease pressure and sharpen focus for the decisive months ahead.

The supporters understand this instinctively. Emirates Stadium has often been criticised for its tension on big nights, but the final whistle against Chelsea was met with unrestrained joy. Fans who have watched rebuilds come and go sensed that this group might finally be different. They crave Premier League glory above all else, yet many recognise that winning breeds winning, and that breaking the drought in any competition could unlock something greater.

Arsenal’s players echo that belief. Defender William Saliba spoke candidly about pressure, framing it not as a burden but as a privilege. His confidence reflects a squad that feels ready to shoulder expectations rather than shrink from them. With depth across key positions and a manager whose ideas are now deeply embedded, there is a growing sense that Arsenal are equipped to fight on multiple fronts.

Of course, scepticism will linger until trophies are actually lifted. Football history is littered with talented teams that promised much and delivered little. Jamie Redknapp suggested that Arsenal’s recent suffering may ultimately be an asset, hardening them for decisive moments. If this semi-final victory allows them to play with greater freedom, the implications could be profound, not just for the Carabao Cup but for the Premier League title race as well.

For now, the label of “nearly men” has not been erased, but it has been seriously challenged. Reaching a final does not guarantee redemption, yet it offers a platform from which Arsenal can redefine themselves. Six years of careful construction have led to this point. The next step, lifting silverware at Wembley, would confirm that the wait was worth it and that this Arsenal side is finally ready to turn promise into lasting success.