SOCCER: Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach League Cup final

LONDON – Arsenal secured their place in the League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, thanks to an injury-time goal from former Blues attacker Kai Havertz. The win gave Arsenal a 4-2 aggregate triumph over their London rivals.

The semi-final second leg saw a cautious first hour, with each goalkeeper making only one save. Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior responded by switching to a more attacking formation, bringing on Cole Palmer and Brazilian winger Estevao. Alejandro Garnacho, who scored both goals in Chelsea’s 3-2 first-leg loss at Stamford Bridge, also came off the bench as Chelsea searched for the goal needed to level the aggregate.

Despite the late pressure, Mikel Arteta’s side held firm. Havertz broke through in the final moments to score the decisive goal.

Arsenal will now contest their first League Cup final since 2018, facing either Manchester City or Newcastle United. City hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their semi-final, with the second leg scheduled for Wednesday. -Writing by William SchombergEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters