Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea Player Ratings: Kai Havertz Strikes Late as Gunners Knock Blues Out of Carabao Cup

Arsenal secured their place in the EFL Cup final with a narrow 1-0 victory on the night, sealing a 4-2 aggregate win and booking a trip to Wembley. They will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the final.

The semi-final second leg was not a spectacle. The expected goals reflected a tight contest, with Arsenal edging Chelsea 0.91 to 0.63. What defined the match, however, was Arsenal’s defensive discipline. The Gunners remained organised and composed throughout, limiting Chelsea to a few clear chances.

Chelsea’s approach was clear. They aimed to stay in the tie before introducing attacking options from the bench. Despite moments of promise, the plan failed to break Arsenal’s resistance.

As the game appeared destined for a goalless draw, Kai Havertz struck late on the counter-attack. The goal ensured Arsenal ended the tie with victories in both legs.

The result keeps Arsenal on course for their first EFL Cup triumph since 1993. They remain in contention for multiple honours this season. For now, their focus turns to Wembley, with this competition successfully navigated and momentum firmly on their side.

Key Takeaways

1. Arsenal confirmed their place in the EFL Cup final with a 1-0 win, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
2. The Gunners delivered a disciplined defensive performance, restricting Chelsea to limited chances.
3. Kai Havertz scored late on the counter-attack to secure the win and seal progress to Wembley.

Chelsea Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Here are Chelsea player ratings from the Carabao Cup game:

Goalkeeper

Robert Sánchez - 6.5: Had a relatively quiet game for long periods but was called into action to make a decent save from Hincapié. He couldn't do much about the goal at the end, left completely exposed by his defence on the counter. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss, with only 39% of his long balls finding a teammate. A standard performance that was undone by one moment of chaos.

Defenders

Trevoh Chalobah - 7.0: A really solid and composed performance from Chalobah. He was very busy, making six clearances and being confident on the ball with 97 touches. We noticed he was a calm head in a frantic backline. He even ventured a shot from distance that went wide. Defensively sound and one of Chelsea's better players on the night.

Wesley Fofana - 6.5: A very mixed evening for Fofana. He was dominant in the air, winning six aerial duels, which was crucial against Arsenal's forwards. However, he lost possession 10 times and missed a gilt-edged chance from a corner that he should have buried. From our perspective, his performance was a blend of defensive strength and attacking profligacy.

Jorrel Hato - 6.5: A quiet but effective hour on the pitch for the defender. He had a perfect pass completion rate which is impressive in a game of this magnitude. He kept things simple, made three clearances, and didn't put a foot wrong before being substituted. A mature display from the young man.

Midfielders

Marc Cucurella - 7.0: Deployed in a midfield role, Cucurella adapted well. He was industrious, creating two chances for his teammates and winning the majority of his duels. He even had a shot from distance that flew over the bar. It was a functional, hardworking display that helped Chelsea compete in the middle of the park.

Enzo Fernández - 8.0: What stood out to us was how Enzo ran the show for Chelsea. He was the creative spark, constantly probing and looking for openings, demonstrated by his 10 passes into the final third. His shot in the first half forced a great save from Kepa. He was the conductor of the orchestra, and it was a surprise to see him on the losing side.

Andrey Santos - 7.0: An incredibly tidy performance from Santos. A 98% pass accuracy shows just how reliable he was in possession, losing the ball just once in his 75 minutes. He won all his duels and kept play ticking over smoothly. He provided a solid platform for the more creative players to operate.

Moisés Caicedo - 7.0: A typically combative and energetic display from Caicedo. He was a disruptive force in midfield, breaking up play with tackles and interceptions. He also showed his quality on the ball, creating a chance late on with a dangerous cross. A relentless performance from start to finish.

Malo Gusto - 6.5: A frustrating night for Gusto. He showed good energy down the right but struggled in his duels, winning only 4 out of 9. He was booked for simulation which summed up his frustrating evening. He did his job but it wasn't his most effective outing before being subbed off.

Forwards

Liam Delap - 5.5: This was a night to forget for the striker. He missed a huge chance early in the match that could have changed the entire complexion of the tie. From that moment on, he struggled to get involved, lost possession frequently, and picked up a yellow card. It was no surprise to see him substituted.

João Pedro - 6.0: Worked tirelessly but with very little end product. He drew several fouls and showed glimpses of his skill, but he lost the ball 15 times and never really threatened the Arsenal goal. We were left wanting more from him in the final third. A disappointing outing.

Substitutes

Cole Palmer - 6.0: Came on and tried to make things happen, but had his only shot blocked.

Estêvão - 5.0: His main contribution was getting a yellow card shortly after coming on. Not the impact the manager was hoping for.

Alejandro Garnacho - 6.0: Didn't have enough time to influence the game in any meaningful way.

Josh Acheampong - 6.5: Almost became the hero with a late header that forced a great save. A bright cameo.

Manager

L. Rosenior - 6.0: His game plan was nearly perfect. His team was defensively solid and created enough chances to win the game. However, his forwards' wastefulness and a late defensive lapse cost his team dearly. The result is harsh, but that's football at this level.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Chelsea

Check out Arsenal player ratings from the match against Chelsea:

Goalkeeper

Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7.5: A superb performance against his former club. Kepa made two vital saves, including a fantastic stop from Josh Acheampong's header deep in stoppage time. Those saves kept Arsenal in the game, allowing for the late winner. His command of his area was strong, a truly solid outing.

Defenders

William Saliba - 6.5: By his own high standards, this was a slightly off-key performance. An uncharacteristic error led to a Chelsea chance, and he seemed a bit more flustered than usual. He still won a decent number of duels, but it felt like a game where he was just a little below his best.

Piero Hincapié - 7.5: An excellent defensive shift. The defender was a wall, winning 8 out of 10 duels and making five tackles. He was aggressive, strong, and read the game brilliantly. He even had a shot on target from distance, showing his confidence. A very impressive display.

Gabriel Magalhães - 8.0: A colossal performance from the captain. He was an absolute monster at the back, winning 8 duels and dominating in the air. He was a leader, organizing the defence and even creating two chances from the back. From our perspective, he was a massive reason Chelsea couldn't find a way through.

Jurriën Timber - 7.0: A very tidy and reliable performance. His 97% pass accuracy highlights his composure on the ball. He made two key interceptions and was never really beaten by his man. He just did his job with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency, a quality we really appreciate.

Midfielders

Eberechi Eze - 6.5: A quiet game for the creative midfielder. While he showed some nice touches, he struggled to impose himself on the match and missed a big chance. He recovered the ball five times, showing his work rate, but Arsenal needed more from him in an attacking sense.

Declan Rice - 7.5: While he didn't score the goal, his contribution was just as vital, grabbing the assist for the winner. He was a force in midfield, breaking up play with interceptions and driving his team forward. He lost the ball a bit more than he'd like, but his influence in the game's biggest moment was undeniable.

Martín Zubimendi - 7.0: The silent operator in Arsenal's midfield. He kept the play moving, created two key passes, and provided a screen for the defense. It wasn't a flashy performance, but it was incredibly effective. He did the simple things exceptionally well, which allowed others to shine.

Forwards

Gabriel Martinelli - 6.0: A very subdued performance from Martinelli. He just couldn't get into the game, losing possession 11 times and struggling to beat his man. He was full of running as always but lacked the spark and cutting edge we're used to seeing. A night where things just didn't click for him.

Viktor Gyökeres - 6.0: It was a tough night for the striker, who was often isolated against Chelsea's defence. He only had 10 touches in his 69 minutes on the pitch. He was starved of service and unable to make any real impact before being substituted.

Noni Madueke - 6.0: Similar to his fellow forwards, Madueke had a frustrating evening. He got into some good positions and delivered a few crosses, but his final product was lacking. He lost the ball too often and couldn't provide the penetration Arsenal needed from the wide areas.

Substitutes

Kai Havertz - 8.5: The highest-rated player and the undisputed hero of the match. Came off the bench and changed the game, scoring the winning goal with a cool, right-footed finish in the 97th minute. It was a classic poacher's goal that sent his team to the final. A perfect substitution.

Leandro Trossard - 6.5: Looked lively after coming on, adding a bit of directness to Arsenal's attack and drawing a foul in a dangerous area.

Manager

M. Arteta - 7.5: His team wasn't at their free-flowing best, but he deserves immense credit for his game management. He kept his team in the fight, and his substitutions were a stroke of genius. Bringing on Havertz won his team the match, a tactical masterclass in the end.

Man of the Match

Arsenal goal-scorer Kai Havertz was Sportsdunia's player of the match.

Worst Performer

Liam Delap missed a key chance for Chelsea.