AFCON 2025
Arsenal have a slim advantage over Chelsea going into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final after surviving a late resurgence inspired by former Manchester United winger, Alejandro Garnacho.
The 21-year-old forward came off the bench to score twice as Liam Rosenoir suffered a 3-2 defeat in his first home match as Chelsea’s new boss.
Ben White gave the Gunners an early lead as he powered a bullet header into the jet from Declan Rice’s corner kick.
Brazilian winger Estêvão came close to equalizing for the Blues as he forced a save off former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Viktor Gyokores bagged his eighth goal of the season as he doubled Arsenal’s lead five minutes into the second half break.
The Swedish striker pounced on rebound in the 49th minute as Arsenal took a 2-0 lead.
Alejandro came off the bench in the 53rd minute and made an instant impact as he got to the end of Pedro Neto’s cross with a one-time to reduce the deficit.
However, Martin Zubimendi quenched Chelsea’s resurgence as he restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead with a shot into the left post in the 71st minute.
Mikel Merino almost incresed Arsenal’s lead with a sublime strike but Robert Sanchez put the ball to safety with a sublime save.
Witg seven minutes left on the clock, Alejandro Garnacho fired a low drive into the back of the net to reduce the deficit again.
Arrizabalaga made a fine save to deny Estêvão from restoring parity two minutes later as the tie ended 3-2 ahead of the second leg on February 3rd.
