Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: Big step for Gunners in Carabao Cup but could it have been more?

Arsenal's Redemption Song: Overcoming Semi-Final Ghosts
In a thrilling 3-2 victory over Chelsea, Arsenal took a significant stride towards the Carabao Cup final, overcoming past semi-final woes and stirring hopes of silverware under Mikel Arteta.
The Breaking Point
Arsenal's dismal record in two-legged semi-finals was shattered as they clinched a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. Despite Chelsea's tenacity, the Gunners demonstrated their dominance, surging ahead with goals from Ben White and Martin Zubimendi.
Beneath the Surface
This victory was not just about breaking a semi-final curse; it highlighted Arsenal's resilience and the promise seen in striker Viktor Gyokeres. His first open-play goal since November added a crucial layer of confidence and secured an assist, reigniting his Arsenal journey.
The Ripple Effect
Taking a slender lead into the second leg keeps Chelsea in the contest, yet Arsenal's unbeaten home record this season sets a formidable backdrop. Despite Arteta's lament over missed opportunities to seal a larger victory margin, the focus quickly shifts to their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest, underscoring a season bursting with potential trophies.
"With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling... that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different."
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager

