Nothing seems to be able to slow down Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal this season. The victory against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg of the League Cup is not just another success in the calendar. It sounds like a resounding confirmation of the colossal ambitions of the Gunners. Already leaders of the Premier League, qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League, still in the race in the FA Cup and now finalists in the League Cup, the Londoners are moving forward with impressive serenity and maturity. This group exudes confidence, mastery and above all depth, capable of being present on all fronts without ever giving the impression of enduring the sequence of competitions. Arsenal no longer hide their credible objective of winning everything after 22 years of disappointment in the league. An almost logical mission given the current dynamic.
Tuesday evening, in an Emirates pierced by the cold, the rain and the tension of a London derby, Arsenal delivered a match of remarkable tactical mastery. Building on their success (3-2) at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, Arteta’s men managed their advantage perfectly in the first half, blocking spaces and suffocating the Blues’ offensive attempts. Little pace, few chances, a game broken by mistakes, exactly the ideal scenario for the Gunners. Yet combative, Chelsea came up against a disciplined block, concentrated and sure of its strength. This ability to control a match without shining, to accept a battle of attrition, is one of the most obvious signs of the transformation made by Arteta since his arrival.
The euphoria is total among the Gunners
Returning from the locker room, Chelsea tried to raise their voice, increasing the number of dangerous situations and throwing all their strength into the battle. But again, Arsenal held on. Despite a few scares, a more disjointed pace and increasing pressure, the Gunners never panicked. Better yet, they knew how to sting at the perfect moment. In added time, Kai Havertz, symbol of this team which has learned to overturn narratives, sealed the fate of the match with chilling composure, triggering the explosion of joy from a soaked but boiling Emirates. “The audience was great. He instilled incredible energy and confidence into the team at crucial times. We deserve to be reunited at Wembley in a few weeks. The energy was very good. From the start I felt it was different“, explained Mikel Arteta. This late goal is not anecdotal, because it illustrates the mental strength of a team capable of remaining lucid until the last second, even in the most tense and thankless matches.
This qualification for the League Cup final, the first in almost six years, is much more than a simple meeting at Wembley. It represents a further step in Arsenal’s wider quest: to once again become an undisputed giant of English and European football. “It’s about learning from past experiences. Today’s match was very different from the first leg at Stamford Bridge. We managed the situation very well, the team showed a great competitive spirit and understood what we had to do. Truly impressive. Now let’s win the final», Analyzed Arteta. Even without executives like Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino or Martin Ødegaard, the club displays an impressive squad depth, proof that the Arteta project has reached a new dimension. Of course, the League Cup is not the ultimate trophy, but it can be a fantastic catalyst, an emotional and symbolic trigger to achieve even greater success. Today, Arsenal is moving forward without trembling, driven by a clear identity, collective confidence and total ambition. And at this rate, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine who could really stop the Gunners.
Pub. the
– UPDATE
