Ben White scored his first goal of the season in the Carabao Cup win against Chelsea.
Arsenal have taken a crucial step toward ending their long-running semi-final frustration.
Yet, the night still carried a sense of unfinished business.
A 3-2 away win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg has shifted momentum.
It puts Arsenal within touching distance of a first major final since 2020.
For Mikel Arteta, this result finally breaks an uncomfortable pattern.
Arsenal had failed to win a single leg in their previous four two-legged semi-finals.
They scored just two goals across those ties.
This Arsenal semi-final performance, however, felt different.
It showed authority, attacking intent, and belief.
Arsenal Semi-Final Jinx Finally Cracks
The victory at Stamford Bridge moves Arsenal one game away from Wembley.
They will host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.
Arsenal will enter that second leg as strong favourites.
Their home form this season has been flawless.
They remain unbeaten at the Emirates in all competitions.
Arteta’s side are enjoying a remarkable campaign.
They currently sit top of both the Premier League and Champions League groups.
They have also reached the FA Cup fourth round.
This Chelsea clash was Arsenal’s 32nd match of the season.
They have suffered just two defeats so far.
Both losses came away against Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Dominance With a Hint of Regret
Despite the win, Arsenal felt the scoreline could have been more decisive.
After taking a 3-1 lead, the visitors controlled large spells.
Arteta admitted his side had chances to effectively end the tie.
Two clear opportunities could have delivered a fourth goal.
That would have changed the entire complexion of the semi-final.
Instead, Chelsea struck back late.
A corner led to a goal, keeping the tie alive.
The Arsenal manager praised his players’ overall performance.
However, he acknowledged the ending left mixed emotions.
The feeling, he said, was “not perfect”.
Gyokeres Delivers Timely Arsenal Semi-Final Boost
One of the biggest positives came from Viktor Gyokeres.
The striker needed this night more than most.
The £64m summer signing had endured a frustrating spell.
His only recent goal had come from a penalty last month.
Confidence appeared to be fading.
Against Chelsea, Gyokeres looked reborn.
He scored his first open-play goal since November.
His movement and composure stood out.
The Sweden international also assisted Martin Zubimendi.
That pass set up Arsenal’s crucial third goal.
It ensured a valuable advantage heading into the second leg.
Gyokeres later spoke of satisfaction and focus.
He stressed the job is far from finished.
The second leg, he said, still demands a strong performance.
Defensive Slips Keep Chelsea Alive
Arsenal twice held a two-goal lead in the match.
Both times, Chelsea responded.
Alejandro Garnacho pulled Chelsea back to 2-1.
Zubimendi restored the cushion with a fine finish.
Yet Garnacho struck again to make it 3-2.
Ben White admitted standards dropped after the break.
Arsenal allowed unnecessary pressure in the second half.
That lapse proved costly.
Taking a two-goal lead to the Emirates would have been ideal.
Chelsea, however, remain very much in the tie.
Focus Shifts Beyond the Arsenal Semi-Final
Despite the result, Arteta’s attention quickly turned elsewhere.
Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League next.
Rotation, recovery, and rhythm remain the priority.
Arteta insists this is now routine for his squad.
The Arsenal semi-final hurdle is no longer daunting.
But perfection still eludes them.
For now, hope outweighs regret.
The nightmare may finally be ending.
