Arsenal took a narrow first-leg lead in the EFL Cup semi-final, beating Chelsea 3-2 in a lively match at Stamford Bridge. Viktor Gyokeres produced a goal and an assist, while Ben White and Martin Zubimendi also scored, leaving Liam Rosenior’s first home game in charge ending in defeat.
Alejandro Garnacho stepped off the bench to strike twice for Chelsea in the second half, repeating recent cup heroics and keeping the tie alive before the return match at Emirates Stadium on February 3. Despite Arsenal’s control for long spells, Garnacho’s brace reduced what threatened to become a heavy loss.
Arsenal made a sharp start and needed only seven minutes to strike from a corner. Declan Rice delivered a deep set piece, which White met with a firm header
as Robert Sanchez failed to claim. VAR checked whether Gyokeres, standing in an offside position, had impacted the play, but the goal stood.
The visitors then created further pressure through Gyokeres, who dragged a left-footed shot across goal and wide. At the other end, Joao Pedro miscued a similar attempt from the right of the Arsenal box. The game opened up before half-time, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and William Saliba both tested from distance.
Arsenal increased the tempo straight after the break and struck again within four minutes. White drove a low cross from the right and Sanchez misjudged the ball, allowing Gyokeres to tap in from close range. That finish gave Arsenal a 2-0 cushion and quietened the home support for a spell.
Chelsea hit back shortly before the hour mark when Garnacho arrived at the back post to score. The substitute finished from close range to halve the deficit and inject fresh belief into Rosenior’s team. Arsenal responded with another spell of pressure but could not immediately restore their two-goal margin.
Arsenal eventually re-established control with 19 minutes left through a well-worked third goal. Gyokeres held the ball with his back to goal, then slipped a pass to Zubimendi. The midfielder skipped past two challenges on the edge of the box and drove a powerful strike into the left side of the net.
ADVANTAGE ARSENAL Let's finish the job back home pic.twitter.com/0ziSUZDmW9Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 14, 2026
Arsenal vs Chelsea EFL Cup semi-final: Garnacho impact and records
A heavier defeat would have left Chelsea facing a severe task on February 3, but Garnacho struck again late on. A dropping ball sat up for a half-volley, which bounced off the turf and flew in to make it 3-2. That second goal kept the tie within reach for Rosenior’s side.
Garnacho’s influence has become a theme of Chelsea’s cup campaign. The Argentine also scored twice as a substitute against Cardiff City in the previous round. His five goals from the bench in all competitions this season are the most by any Premier League player, underlining a consistent impact as substitute.
2 - Alejandro Garnacho is the first Premier League player to score twice in both a quarter-final match and a semi-final match in the same League Cup campaign since Manchester City's Edin Dzeko in 2013-14. Fightback. pic.twitter.com/tXTppK5f4uOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 14, 2026
Arsenal vs Chelsea EFL Cup semi-final: data, xG and shooting stats
Gyokeres enjoyed a landmark evening for Arsenal, scoring the forward’s first EFL Cup goal since Brighton versus Portsmouth in September 2020. The striker also delivered a first assist for the club, setting up Zubimendi’s strike. Those contributions, alongside tireless link play, underpinned Arsenal’s attacking display away from home.
Underlying numbers highlighted Arsenal’s superiority despite the slender margin. Mikel Arteta’s side attempted 17 shots compared with 10 for Chelsea and held a clear edge in expected goals, with an xG of 2.68 to 0.65. However, defensive lapses allowed Chelsea to register twice and kept the semi-final delicately balanced.
| Team | Goals | Shots | xG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 3 | 17 | 2.68 |
| Chelsea | 2 | 10 | 0.65 |
The first leg leaves Arsenal with a slight edge and home advantage, but Chelsea remain competitive in the EFL Cup semi-final. Arsenal’s attacking output, especially through Gyokeres, delivered control for long periods, while Garnacho’s finishing ensured the second leg at Emirates Stadium should carry tension for both sides.
