Holding a 3-2 advantage from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal approached the return fixture in north London with caution.
Mikel Arteta’s side prioritised control rather than expansion, a necessity given the absence of captain Martin Odegaard through a minor muscle injury and Bukayo Saka, who was not risked due to a hip problem. The hosts also lacked fluency in attack, with Eberechi Eze handed a rare start.
Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, arrived needing to overturn a first-leg home defeat – something no team has achieved in this competition’s semi-finals since Arsenal’s own comeback in 1987, when David Rocastle struck against Tottenham.
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Rosenior attempted to exploit any home crowd anxiety by deploying a back three for the first time, a system that unsettled Arsenal early on.
Chelsea’s high-energy press caused problems, with William Saliba gifting Liam Delap a chance that went wide, while Enzo Fernández forced a comfortable save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Despite tactical adaptability and increased threat after half-time – aided by the introductions of Cole Palmer and Estevao and a switch to a back four – Chelsea lacked cutting edge, managing just two shots on target.
Arsenal, meanwhile, survived a nervy contest that appeared destined for stalemate until stoppage time.
Substitute Kai Havertz, facing his former club, broke clear on the counter, rounded Robert Sánchez and scored the decisive goal to settle a cagey second leg.
Arsenal supporters, long described as trophy-starved, celebrated late into the night as the club moved within touching distance of its first silverware since the FA Cup in Arteta’s debut season six years ago. A final against title rivals Manchester City now looms.
“We are so happy. I think overall, over the last two games, we deserved to go through,” said Arteta.
“It was a long match, we expected that, we wrapped it up at the end in a beautiful way, with Kai [Havertz] scoring the goal in the manner that he did and the reaction from the crowd.
“The starters, the finishers, the staff, it was just magical. So I’m really happy because it was a really tough match against a great opponent and we’re in Wembley.”