Arteta Confident Arsenal Can Turn League Cup Final into Momentum for Title Bid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes the “magical” feeling of reaching the League Cup final can energise his squad as they chase the Premier League crown.

The Gunners edged Chelsea 1-0 in the semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with Kai Havertz scoring a dramatic late winner to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory. The triumph offered catharsis for Arsenal, who had suffered four consecutive semi-final defeats in recent years, including the 2025 Champions League and League Cup, the 2022 League Cup, and the 2021 Europa League.

Arsenal will now meet either Manchester City or Newcastle at Wembley on March 22, with City holding a 2-0 advantage ahead of Wednesday’s second-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium.

This season has been remarkable for Arsenal. They lead the Premier League by six points and advanced to the Champions League last 16, having won all eight of their group-stage matches.

Arteta said: “Moments like these are magical because you see the joy, energy, and smiles throughout the club. Success gives confidence and momentum. We’ll enjoy this achievement, but we must quickly refocus for the next Premier League match.”

The late winner and the deafening support from the Emirates crowd highlighted the importance of the result for Arsenal and their long-suffering fans.

After finishing second in the league for three straight seasons and enduring multiple semi-final disappointments, reaching the final offers a chance to break the pattern. Arsenal last won the League Cup in 1993, and their most recent trophy was the 2020 FA Cup.

Arteta, who previously worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, stressed the value of learning from past experiences. “We deserved this over the two legs. Kai’s goal and the fans’ reaction were a perfect way to cap it off,” he said. “The players consistently give us reasons to trust them. We have an outstanding group, and now it’s about winning the final.”

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior acknowledged the setback but emphasized resilience. “We’re disappointed not to progress, but Arsenal were strong opponents. This result won’t derail our focus,” he said.