Tag: arsenal

Arsenal, on Saturday, opened a nine-point advantage at the top of the Premier League, thanks to a 3-0 thrashing of Sunderland.

The Gunners came into the game knowing that they could stretch their lead, with two of their title rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City, facing off at Anfield tomorrow.

Although they struggled to break down the Black Cats for most of the first half, Mikel Arteta’s men eventually went in front, with Martin Zubimendi lashing home an effort from outside the box.

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Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to grab a brace as Arsenal finished the game comfortably.

With Aston Villa drawing 1-1 at Bournemouth, the gap between Arsenal and the teams in second and third is nine points.

City could cut the lead back to six if they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Arsenal reached the League Cup final for the first time in eight years as Kai Havertz sealed a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side had put themselves in pole position in the first leg and Havertz came off the bench to finish the 4-2 aggregate victory in the closing moments at the Emirates Stadium.

It was a cathartic triumph for the Gunners, who had lost their previous four semi-finals in the 2025 Champions League and League Cup, the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League.

In their first final for six years, Arsenal will face Manchester City or Newcastle at Wembley on March 22.

City hold a 2-0 lead over Newcastle ahead of  today’s  second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal haven’t won the League Cup since 1993, losing in their last three final appearances.

Now they have the chance to end that drought by winning the club’s first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

That remains the sole silverware won by Arteta since he was hired in December 2019.

“We knew it was going to be a real battle out there. That resilience, that clarity to understand what kind of game we had to play, we did so well,” Arteta said.“There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference. We’ve been waiting a few years to get into this position and we’re certainly going to enjoy it.”

It is shaping up to be a memorable season for Arsenal, who are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and reached the Champions League last 16 by winning all eight of their group matches.

Despite their success, Arsenal have attracted criticism for their reliance on goals from corners and set-pieces.

Arteta launched a passionate defence of Arsenal’s style of play this week, revealing he has a “massive book of people” who feel his side are the “most exciting in Europe”.

Tuesday’s war of attrition will hardly silence Arsenal’s critics, but Arteta won’t care about that after leading his team to Wembley.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior had won six of his seven matches in all competitions since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.

But Rosenior was unable to solve his Arsenal conundrum, with the Gunners handing him the only two defeats of his brief reign.

“Arsenal know they were in a game, over both ties. We dominated the areas we wanted to in the second half, but we didn’t find that quality moment,” Rosenior said.

“It’s painful to lose. We just need to keep making improvements, which I’m seeing from the first leg to the second.”

Without captain Martin Odegaard, sidelined by a muscle problem, and winger Bukayo Saka, who was injured in the pre-match warm-up at Leeds on Saturday, Arsenal weren’t at their best but still ground out the win.

Rosenior’s switch to a three-man central defence allowed Chelsea to stifle Arsenal in a scrappy first half.

The Gunners briefly shook off their shackles as Piero Hincapie’s curler from just inside the area was palmed away by Robert Sanchez.

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It rained so heavily in the first half that Rosenior had to take off his soaked glasses to see what was happening.

Squinting through the squall offered Rosenior an alarming view as Malo Gusto’s misjudgement let in Gabriel Martinelli before the Chelsea defender scrambled back to block the shot.

It took 43 minutes for Chelsea to muster a shot on target when Enzo Fernandez’s long-range blast was punched clear by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea needed to push for a goal and Rosenior sent on Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian after an hour, ditching his back three.

Estevao immediately set up Fernandez for a curler that flashed over, but Chelsea’s threat petered out.

Havertz delivered the knockout blow in the final seconds of stoppage-time, rounding Sanchez to slot into the empty net after Chelsea were caught on the counter.

Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner as Arsenal beat Chelsea to secure their place in the Carabao Cup final for the first time in eight years.

Arsenal came into this match with a 3-2 lead after the first leg and dominated the opening part of the match – but with Chelsea lining up with a back five, chances in the first hour of the game were hard to come by.

Liam Rosenior brought on Estevao and Cole Palmer in an attempt to spark creativity as his side hunted a goal, but Arsenal were able to deal with the Chelsea attack.

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Then in the closing seconds substitute Havertz, who has only recently returned from injury, rounded Robert Sanchez and sent the crowd wild inside the Emirates Stadium as their place in the Wembley final was secured.

The Gunners will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United, who play their semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal last played in the Carabao Cup final in 2018, losing to City, and will hope this is the start of things to come as they compete for trophies across four competitions.

BBC SPORT

Noni Madueke wasn’t initially meant to start but was pivotal during Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Leeds United in the Premier League (PL),which is the Gunners’ eighth consecutive H2H win over the Whites.

Mikel Arteta was dealt a blow before kick-off with Bukayo Saka suffering an injury in the warm-up.

Leeds tried to ensure the visitors would also be uncomfortable once the action got going at Elland Road, with plenty of intensity on display while Ethan Ampadu smashed a shot over the crossbar.

Martin Zubimendi hit the game’s first shot on target in the 16th minute, although his effort from the edge of the box was routinely gathered by Karl Darlow.

Arsenal started to turn up the pressure with balls being relentlessly played into the hosts’ box from corners, long throws and open play.

That approach eventually paid off in the 27th minute when Zubimendi headed Madueke’s cross past Darlow.

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The Gunners remained in control but were left frustrated when nobody was in a position to convert when Viktor Gyokeres headed a Madueke corner back across goal.

Another corner in the 38th minute inspired more celebrations from the away end, though, as Darlow punched Madueke’s delivery in off the post.

Daniel Farke responded with a double substitution ahead of the restart, and his side picked their levels back up with Pascal Struijk’s header marking their first shot on target of the match.

Joe Rodon then impressively denied Gyokeres at the other end before Jurrien Timber headed off-target, but the Dutchman was booked for catching Gabriel Gudmundsson with his arm as the Whites left-back embodied Leeds’ determination going forward.

The hosts were undone again in the 69th minute, though, as Gyokeres met Gabriel Martinelli’s pinpoint cross ahead of Jayden Bogle to net his first PL goal in seven appearances.

Gabriel Jesus then worked space from Struijk and clinically finished to add a layer of gloss to the scoreline in the 86th minute, as Arsenal emphatically recovered from back-to-back winless PL games to go seven points clear at the top of the table, at least for the evening.

Arsenal enter the Premier League weekend clinging to a four‑point lead at the summit, their title advantage reduced after a damaging 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United last Sunday that has raised all-too-familiar fears.

That result, combined with recent draws against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, has allowed both Manchester City and Aston Villa to close in during a critical stretch of the campaign leading to questions about whether Mikel Arteta’s perennial runners-up might be headed for another collapse.

The Gunners travel to Elland Road tomorrow  to face a Leeds United side who have steadily strengthened their survival credentials. Leeds sit 16th but have suffered only two home league defeats all season and are unbeaten in five at Elland Road, scoring in 10 of 11 home games.

Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive on a three‑match winless league run. Their away record has broadly been strong this season, but only two of their last six league matches on the road have been victories. With their lead narrowing, Arteta’s side cannot afford another slip.

Former City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, whose Galatasaray side lost 2-0 to his old team in the Champions League on Wednesday, said he was watching England’s title chase as a fan. He is betting on City.

“I think so yes,” Gundogan said when asked after Wednesday’s game if City can knock Arsenal off their perch. “I think they have the momentum right now and the past has always shown that once they get that momentum it’s very, very difficult to get something out of the games against them.

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“They can go for a long winning streak right now. It looks like they have to do that because both teams play at a very high level but that’s why the Premier League is one of the most exciting leagues.

“You have all these teams and it feels like at the moment everyone can get something against everyone. It’s a special league, amazing to watch. I’m following it, it’s exciting but I wish obviously that (City) are able to do it.”

Leeds, meanwhile, are six points above the relegation zone.

Pep Guardiola’s City face an unpredictable Spurs side on Sunday knowing that Arsenal’s result at Elland Road could open the door in the title race.

Second-placed City are level on points with third-placed Aston Villa, and have been buoyed by the January additions of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. Prized striker Erling Haaland also finally ended his goal drought on Wednesday with his first from open play in 10 games.

Spurs, who have not won a league game since beating Crystal Palace 1-0 on December 28, are languishing in 14^th  place.

Liverpool welcome Newcastle United to Anfield tomorrow in a fixture that carries weight for both sides’ ambitions.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are looking to strengthen their position near the top four after a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth last weekend left them sixth and ended a 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 on Wednesday to secure a last-16 Champions League spot, and Slot said that his team needed to show the same form in their domestic league.

“There was an obvious improvement (from the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth), but with all respect for the team we faced tonight I expect Newcastle to be a stronger side than Qarabag,” Slot said.

“If we can improve in both boxes it’s going to be very hard for any team to play against us, but showing that once is not enough, we have to show this from now on constantly.”

Liverpool are two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, while Newcastle are ninth, five points off the top four.

Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, aiming to extend their impressive unbeaten league run to seven matches.

Michael Carrick has made a perfect start as United’s interim head coach, delivering back‑to‑back statement victories over Manchester City and Arsenal, lifting United firmly into the top‑four battle.

Fulham, however, arrive in strong form themselves, with Marco Silva’s side sitting seventh in the table and having lost just once in their last eight league fixtures.