Arsenal defeats Chelsea 3-2 in League Cup Semifinal First Leg
Arsenal secured a 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The match,held at Stamford Bridge,saw Arsenal capitalize on errors from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to gain a critically important advantage heading into the second leg.
First-Half Goals Set the Tone
Arsenal took an early lead in the 7th minute when a corner kick sailed over Robert Sanchez, allowing Ben White to head the ball into an unguarded net. The Gunners extended their lead in the 49th minute after Sanchez failed to hold a low cross, gifting Viktor Gyokeres a straightforward tap-in.This put Arsenal firmly in control of the match.
Chelsea Responds, But Arsenal Maintains Advantage
Chelsea attempted to mount a comeback with a goal from substitute Alejandro Garnacho in the 70th minute. However, Arsenal quickly restored their two-goal cushion as Martin Zubimendi slotted home a finish shortly after, making the score 3-1.
Garnacho scored his second goal in the 83rd minute, narrowing the gap to 3-2 and providing Chelsea with a glimmer of hope for the return leg.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Despite Chelsea’s late push,Arsenal remains the favorite to advance to the final,scheduled for March 22,2026,at Wembley Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s team currently leads the Premier league by six points and also tops their Champions League group,signaling a perhaps historic season for the Gunners. Arsenal’s official website provides further details on their season performance.
Manchester City Also Secure First-Leg Win
In the other League Cup semifinal matchup, Manchester City defeated Newcastle 2-0 on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. the second leg between Manchester City and Newcastle is scheduled for February 4, 2026. Manchester City’s official website has details on their victory.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals.
- Errors by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez proved costly, leading to two Arsenal goals.
- Arsenal is favored to reach the final at Wembley stadium.
- Manchester City also won their first-leg semifinal match against Newcastle.
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