‘Years in the making’ – are Arsenal ready to shed ‘nearly men’ tag after beating Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final
The wait is over.
After nearly six years and four unsuccessful semi-finals, Arsenal’s 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final took them back to a major final.
This will be their first year at the club and their first under Mikel Arteta since guiding them to FA Cup victory in 2020.
It was tight, tense and at times quite dull, but the enthusiasm of fans and players at the Emirates left no doubt as to its importance as Kai Havertz scored an injury-time goal to confirm his place at Wembley.
In a match in which both sides managed just two shots on target, the Gunners rarely looked troubled as they displayed all the qualities that make them so difficult to beat.
The result means Arsenal will compete in their ninth EFL Cup final, facing either Manchester City or Newcastle in the tournament’s showpiece match on Sunday, March 22.
If they face City, it will be a repeat of the 2018 final won by the Manchester club, where Arteta is part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
But aside from Arsenal being able to avenge that defeat and win the League Cup for the first time in 33 years, this could also be a step towards changing some perceptions.
Arsenal manager Arteta said: “There was a special atmosphere in our stadium. It makes a huge difference. We’ve been waiting a few years for this role and we will certainly enjoy it.” [the final].
“It’s the best vitamin we can put in our bodies because we play a game every three days, but it’s truly magical that you’ve worked so hard to get these moments and have these moments together.
“In the club you can see the joy, the smiles, the energy and everything that works.”
Midfielder Declan Rice added: “We deserved it. We’ve been top of the Premier League for the last three or four years, we’ve struggled and come really close to that but we haven’t been good enough.”
“That’s why we have that extra drive and fire in our belly to go one step further in every competition this season. We still have a long way to go, but to be in the cup final with this club is fantastic.”
For the last few years, Arteta’s reign at Arsenal has been a tale of near-misses in both cup competitions and the Premier League.
Now, with just one game to go until their trophy drought ends, are the Premier League leaders about to completely silence accusations that they are ‘almost a man’?
Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s been a few years and it’s been a steady improvement for Arsenal up to this point. Mikel Arteta is laying the foundations of the team, building its ethos and unity.”
