Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: A big step for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, but could it have been more than that?

Arsenal’s semi-final record under manager Mikel Arteta was not good reading.

But after failing to win even a single game in the previous four semi-finals, Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup moved them one game away from their first major final since winning the FA Cup in 2020.

The Gunners have lost their last four semi-final matches over both legs, scoring just two goals in total, but they will now be heavy favorites to end their semi-final nightmares at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.

Arteta’s side have been excellent this season, topping the Premier League and Champions League, and reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup.

This was Arsenal’s 32nd game of the season and they have only lost twice, both away to Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

But Arteta and his players feel their margin of victory could have been greater heading into the second leg, as they look to book themselves an early chance to lift the trophy in the UEFA Cup final on March 22.

“First of all, I have to praise the players for the performance, and for the game we just played against a really good opponent,” Arteta said.

“With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end after the 1-3 draw and the very dominant period we had at the time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth goal and the result was completely different.

“But in that moment they had a job, they created a corner kick, they scored a goal, and the game continues. So this feeling is not ideal but we also have to appreciate what the team did again.”