For Arsenal supporters, the past few seasons have delivered thrilling football but frustratingly few trophies. That narrative shifted dramatically in early 2026 when Mikel Arteta’s side booked their place in the Carabao Cup final—their first major domestic showpiece since lifting the FA Cup in 2020. A hard-fought 4-2 aggregate semi-final victory over Chelsea, capped by Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time strike, ended a painful sequence of four straight semi-final exits and reignited belief that this team can finally deliver silverware.
Breaking the Semi-Final Curse
The second leg at the Emirates was rarely spectacular—both teams managed just two shots on target—but Arsenal’s defensive resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive. The result marks their ninth EFL Cup final appearance and offers a shot at a first title in the competition since 1993, a 33-year wait.
Mikel Arteta reflected on the electric atmosphere: “We’ve been waiting a few years to get into this position and we’re certainly going to enjoy it. It’s the best vitamins we can put in our bodies.” Midfielder Declan Rice echoed the sentiment: “The last three or four years we’ve been at the top, competing and got really close but haven’t been good enough. This season we have that extra desire and fire to go one step further.”
Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson described the progress as “years in the making,” praising Arteta’s work in building ethos and togetherness. Overcoming semi-final heartache—without winning a single leg in previous attempts—delivers a significant psychological lift at a pivotal stage of the campaign.
The Path to Wembley: Recent Semi-Final History
Arsenal’s journey to this final highlights how far they have come under Arteta:
| Season | Competition | Semi-Final Opponent | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Carabao Cup | Manchester City | Lost 1-4 aggregate | Heavy defeat |
| 2021-22 | Carabao Cup | Liverpool | Lost 0-2 aggregate | No goals scored |
| 2022-23 | FA Cup | Manchester City | Lost 0-1 | Single-goal margin |
| 2023-24 | Various | Multiple | Multiple exits | Continued near-misses |
| 2025-26 | Carabao Cup | Chelsea | Won 4-2 aggregate | First semi-final victory under Arteta |
This breakthrough stands in stark contrast to recent history and could prove transformative if converted into silverware.
Momentum and Confidence Boost
Pundits agree that reaching—and potentially winning—a final could unlock Arsenal’s full potential. Jamie Redknapp noted: “They are ready to win. They have suffered over the years but this result may relax them.” Historically, seven of the last 12 Carabao Cup winners secured at least one additional trophy in the same season, suggesting early success often breeds further achievement.
Defender William Saliba embraced the pressure: “It’s a big club, so there’s a lot of pressure every time. We play football for that. We want to win every competition.” With games coming thick and fast, the euphoria at the Emirates provides invaluable momentum.
Eyes on Bigger Prizes
Arsenal’s ambitions extend far beyond the Carabao Cup. Leading the Premier League by six points, facing League One side Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round, and topping their Champions League league phase with eight wins from eight, the Gunners remain alive in all competitions.
While talk of a quadruple remains premature—with 17 weeks until the Champions League final—no English club has ever achieved the clean sweep of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Manchester City came closest in 2022-23 (three trophies) and 2018-19 (domestic treble), while Manchester United’s 1998-99 side secured a famous treble. Even Arsenal’s legendary Invincibles of 2003-04 claimed only the Premier League title that season, exiting the League Cup at the semi-final stage.
Arteta will rightly keep focus narrow, but fans can dare to dream. A trophy in March could banish the “nearly men” tag for good, instilling the winning habit required to challenge on multiple fronts.
As the March 22 final approaches—potentially a rematch with Manchester City, whom Arteta helped guide to victory in 2018, or a clash with Newcastle—Arsenal stand on the cusp of something special. Years of careful rebuilding appear ready to bear fruit, and the football world is watching to see whether this talented squad can finally cross the line.
