Liam Duckstein
Six Years in the Making
Arsenal are back in a major final. After four semi-final heartbreaks in six years, a 4-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup has sent Mikel Arteta’s side to Wembley—where they’ll face either Manchester City or Newcastle on 22 March.
The match itself was far from a spectacle—just two shots on target apiece—but the late drama of Kai Havertz’s injury-time winner ignited the Emirates. The roar that followed wasn’t just about a goal; it was relief, validation, a weight lifted.
For Arteta, this is his first final since the 2020 FA Cup triumph. For the club, it’s a chance to end a 33-year wait for League Cup glory. And if they draw City, it’ll be a rematch of the 2018 final—one Arteta lost as part of Pep Guardiola’s staff.
Also read: Manchester City vs Newcastle Prediction: 04.02.2026 EFL Cup Semifinals
“There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference,” Arteta said. “We’ve been waiting a few years to get into this position, and we’re certainly going to enjoy it. The fact that you worked so hard to achieve those moments—it’s just magical.”
The Psychological Edge
This isn’t just about silverware. It’s about shedding a reputation. For years, Arsenal have been the team that falters at the final hurdle—Premier League title chokes, semi-final collapses, the ghost of “nearly” haunting every campaign.
Declan Rice put it bluntly: “The last three or four years, we’ve been at the top, competing, and got really close—but haven’t been good enough. That’s why this season, we have that extra desire.”
Since 2020, Arsenal have reached four semi-finals and lost them all. Not once did they win a leg. Tuesday’s victory, then, wasn’t just progress—it was proof. A psychological barrier broken.
Ex-defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “This has been years in the making. Arteta’s been laying the foundations, building the ethos, the togetherness. The supporters are as eager as the players to win something serious.”
One Trophy, Many Possibilities
Arsenal’s ambitions stretch far beyond the Carabao Cup. They lead the Premier League by six points, are through to the Champions League last 16, and face Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round. The quadruple isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s closer than the club’s 2003-04 “Invincibles” ever got.
History suggests early silverware breeds more success. Seven of the last 12 EFL Cup winners lifted at least one other trophy that season. Jamie Redknapp believes this Arsenal side is ready: “They’ve suffered over the years, but this result might relax them. They can start to enjoy it.”
“It’s a big club, so there’s a lot of pressure every time,” said defender William Saliba. “But we play football for that. We have the squad, we have the coach. We want to win every competition.”
Dreaming Big—But Staying Grounded
Arteta won’t entertain talk of a quadruple yet. The focus is Wembley, then the next game, then the next. But the maths is undeniable: 17 weeks until the Champions League final, zero trophies won so far, and a squad that’s already closer than any Arsenal team in history.
No English side has ever completed the quadruple. Manchester City came closest in 2022-23, falling three wins short. Liverpool in 1984 and United in 1999 and 2009 came agonisingly close. Arsenal’s Invincibles? Knocked out of the League Cup by Middlesbrough in 2004.
This team is different. The hunger is sharper, the squad deeper, the belief unshakable. One trophy could unlock the rest—but first, they have to win it.