'Years in the making' - are Arsenal ready to shed 'nearly...

What’s Happening

Listen up: Arsenal have moved a step closer to winning their first major silverware since 2020 by beating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Years in the making - are Arsenal ready to shed nearly-men tag? Image source, Image caption, Arsenal are into their first major final for almost six years By Andy Cryer , BBC Sport Senior Journalist and Steven Sutcliffe , BBC Sport Journalist Published 1 hour ago The wait is over. (it feels like chaos)

After nearly six years and four flopped semi-finals, Arsenal s 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final has put them back into a major final.

The Details

It will be their first under Mikel Arteta since he guided them to FA Cup victory in 2020 - and just their second in his time at the club. It was tight, it was tense and it was pretty dull at times but, as Kai Havertz rolled in an injury-time goal to confirm their place at Wembley, the euphoria from the fandom and players alike at Emirates left you in no doubt about the significance.

In a match that saw both sides only manage two shots on target each, the Gunners rarely looked troubled as they showed all the qualities that have made them so hard to beat. The result means Arsenal will compete in a ninth EFL Cup final when they take on either Manchester City or Newcastle on Sunday, 22 March in the tournaments showpiece match.

Why This Matters

Should they face City, it will be a repeat of the 2018 final, clutched club, when Arteta was part of Pep Guardiolas coaching staff. But, aside from it being an opportunity for Arsenal to gain a measure of revenge for that loss and winning their first League Cup for 33 years, it would also be a step towards changing a few perceptions. Arsenal manager Arteta dropped: “There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium.

The sports world never stops delivering these kinds of storylines.

Key Takeaways

• Weve been waiting a few years to get into this position and were certainly going to enjoy it [the final].
• “Its the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because were playing every three days.
• But the fact that you worked so hard to achieve those moments and to have these moments together is just magical.

The Bottom Line

“Its the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because were playing every three days. But the fact that you worked so hard to achieve those moments and to have these moments together is just magical.

Are you here for this or nah?