Arsenal has secured a spot in a major cup final for the first time in six years, following a thrilling 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea. Mikel Arteta praised the achievement as a “magical” moment for the team, referring to it as “the best vitamins we can put in our bodies.” The decisive goal came from substitute Kai Havertz in stoppage time, sealing the win on a cold and rainy night at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea adopted a cautious strategy during the match, which transformed it into a tense affair. Despite making substitutions to increase their attacking threat, the Blues failed to find the back of the net. This loss marks a significant setback for Chelsea’s head coach, Liam Rosenior, who recently took over from Enzo Maresca.
Arteta expressed his excitement about reaching the final, which is scheduled for March 22. He stated, “We’re only one match away. It’s the best vitamins that we can put in our bodies because we’re playing every three days. The joy, the smiles, and the energy from everyone that works at the club are just magical.”
Arsenal’s last trophy under Arteta was the FA Cup in 2020, and this victory signifies a turnaround after losing four consecutive semifinals. The upcoming final offers the team a chance to reclaim silverware and bolster their confidence.
Havertz celebrated his crucial goal by pointing to the Arsenal badge, a moment that resonated deeply with his teammates. Arteta highlighted the significance of this goal for Havertz, acknowledging the challenges he has faced due to injuries over the past year. “Not only me, but I think everybody that knows Kai a little bit, we feel genuinely happy for him in a special way because he deserves the best,” Arteta remarked.
On the other side, Rosenior addressed his team’s performance and the importance of responding positively to this setback. He confirmed that key players failed fitness tests before the match and emphasized the need for resilience as Chelsea prepares for a challenging Premier League encounter against Wolverhampton this weekend. “There are a lot of encouraging signs. Now I need to see what we look like after a setback,” he said.
As both teams look ahead, Arsenal gears up for their final preparation, while Chelsea aims to bounce back with renewed determination in their upcoming fixtures. The excitement surrounding Arsenal’s advance to the final adds a new dimension to their season and gives fans hope for future successes.
