Arsenal semi-final nights have never been comfortable under Mikel Arteta, but this time there was a feeling that something had changed. Arsenal’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea has not only helped the club overcome a mental block but it has also put the Gunners squarely on their way to the first significant final since they won the FA Cup in 2020. Nonetheless, even a victorious night had some regrets that made it feel not absolutely ideal.

At the beginning, the history of semi-final history of Arsenal gave the story. Arteta had not won an out of the four two-leg semi-finals in his side, scoring only two goals in those games. To begin with, there was the strain of that record. Next came the problem of a tough away match at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, Arsenal reacted with experience, restraint and offensive activeness that highlighted the reasons as to why they have been amongst the most steady teams in England this season.

Arsenal semi-final advancement was anchored on authority. The visitors ran in a dominant position, overpowering by 2- 0 and appearing to score every time they had advanced. Their dashing, shoeing and confidence in possession dominated Chelsea in the long spells. By then the tie looked almost resolved even before the reverse leg at the Emirates stadium on 3 February. The dominance of Arsenal was implying a statement win, one that will hopefully end the years of semi-final frustration.

Seldom is football followed by a rose, however. Chelsea scored one goal back on the game to make it 2-1 and this revitalised the match and revealed a slight decline in Arsenal intensity. Nevertheless, Arsenal managed to react, Martin Zubimendi scored a great finish and the cushion was regained to two goals. They could not close the door all the way again, however. A second goal by Chelsea made the hosts alive in the match and have made the second leg not something, as well.

Although the wobble came late, the impetus of semi-finals into a high-stakes match has been firmly held by Arsenal in the hands of Arteta. This was the 32 th game of the season that Arsenal played and it has since lost just twice, both of which were away games in the premier league. They are first in the league, flying in the champions league, and sailing through in FA cup. In that regard, this victory was an additional stride of a team that knew how to cope with high-stakes situations in various competitions.

Arteta himself was able to say the balance of pride and frustration. He complimented his players, their performance against a good opponent and the quality that was shown throughout the pitch. Nevertheless, he further conceded that Arsenal might and possibly ought to have achieved a fourth goal in the mid-point of their most commanding session. By granting back into the game that should have provided a decisive first-leg score, the lost chance meant that Chelsea transformed what might have been a more dramatic loss onto a marginally more fragile position.

The performance of Viktor Gyokeres was one of the most promising events of the night in regards to the ambitions of Arsenal reaching the semi-final of the competition. Striker has suffered a poor beginning of life in north London after high profile summer transfer. There seemed to be lack of confidence, goals had been drained and scrutiny had been intensified. This game however looked like a turning point. Gyokeres scored with an open play after several months and also gave an assist and this looked like the all round performance Arsenal thought they were getting.

Gyokeres then referred to the value of making contributions more frequently, and at the same time emphasized that the work is by no means over. Such attitude reflects the one of Arteta. At last, the Arsenal manager was fast to move back as the focus shifted forward as briefly as it remained on what might have been. Within minutes of the final whistle they began to think about their next match against the Premier League, which is another characteristic of their season, essence and order.

To sum it up, the fact that Arsenal maintains their semi-finals against Chelsea is more than a close-cut victory in the first-leg. It is an indicator of growth, belief and a team that has become more relaxed in dealing with high stakes encounters. Although it is lamentable that opportunities have been missed and there have been episodes of relapse, Arsenal are currently just a single resolute home performance of erasing a long-term nightmare of a semi-final. They are not under time to be at the final of the EFL Cup, and their completion of the task might determine the next episode in the development of the project by Arteta.

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