Arsenal secure 3-2 away win over Chelsea in Carabao Cup semifinal first leg despite Garnacho brace
Chelsea hosted the first leg of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup semifinals against Arsenal on Wednesday, January 14, at Stamford Bridge. Despite Alejandro Garnacho scoring a brace, the Gunners imposed themselves to claim a 3-2 away victory.
Arsenal struck early, taking the lead in the 7th minute when Ben White rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Declan Rice. The advantage was doubled early in the second half, as White delivered another dangerous ball that slipped through Robert Sanchez’s hands and allowed Viktor Gyokeres to finish, making it 2-0 in the 49th minute.
Just four minutes after coming on, Garnacho made an immediate impact, meeting a cross from Pedro Neto and finishing at the near post to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga. The momentum was short-lived, however, as Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion in the 71st minute by skipping past Wesley Fofana with a shot feint inside the box before calmly finishing with his left foot.
Garnacho struck again in the 83rd minute, pouncing on a rebound and firing home a half-volley to cut the deficit, but it was not enough to draw level. The second leg of this Carabao Cup semifinal will be played on Tuesday, February 3, with the Blues now needing a comeback at the Emirates Stadium.