Arsenal struck in the 90th + 7th minute against Chelsea and qualified for the final of the English League Cup

Arsenal's opponent in the final act will be decided on Wednesday night in the second leg between Manchester City and Newcastle. “Citizens” start with the first chance, after the 2-0 away success.

An anemic first half, with few moments of intensity

The game started at a slow pace, with both teams cautious and more concerned with defensive organization. The first major chance of the game came in the 21st minute when Piero Hincapie fired a left-footed shot into the far corner, but Robert Sanchez made sure to save with a good dive.

Arsenal came close to opening the scoring in the 34th minute with the biggest opportunity of the first half. Gabriel Martinelli escaped in an ideal position, about 11 meters from the goal, but chose a complicated execution, turning with a “pirouette”. His finish was blocked and Sanchez managed to hold onto the ball, much to the frustration of the stands.

Otherwise, the first part was a static one, without clear opportunities and without the intensity expected from a London derby with a stake in the final.

Chelsea forces at the end, but without lucidity » Arsenal scores in the last phase

The second half brought a slight increase in pace, but the game remained fragmented and lacked clarity in the last 30 meters. Chelsea tried to push the game towards Arsenal's box, but without creating any real danger.

The most talked about phase came in the 78th minute, when the “blues” benefited from a free kick from a promising position. The execution hit the wall, and in the next phase, the Chelsea players called for a penalty for an alleged handball, but the referee let the game continue, dictating only a corner kick.

In the 90+7th minute came the only goal of the game, Arsenal escaping on a counter-attack, after the whole Chelsea team had been surprised in the attack, trying to equalize in the last moments. Kai Havertz closed the scoring for the game.

Arsenal, solid season on all fronts

Both teams were coming off wins in the Premier League. Arsenal crushed Leeds 4-0, while Chelsea won spectacularly against West Ham 3-2. The two rivals also impressed in Europe, with the Gunners the only team with eight wins from eight matches in their single Champions League group, finishing top, while Chelsea finished sixth. Both teams qualified directly for the round of 16.

In the league, Arsenal remain leaders with 53 points after 24 games, six points ahead of Manchester City. Chelsea are in 5th place, four points off the podium.

What's next for the two teams

For Arsenal, the Premier League duel with Sunderland follows, at home, while Chelsea will have a complicated trip to Molineux, against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The final of the English League Cup will take place on March 22, at Wembley, and Arsenal are now waiting to find out their opponent between Manchester City and Newcastle.

FINAL » Arsenal – Chelsea 1-0

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• mark: Kai Havertz 90+7'

• Min. 90+7: Arsenal escape on the counter-attack after Chelsea's entire team were caught in attack, trying to equalize in the dying moments. Kai Havertz closes the accounts of the game.

• Min. 78: Chelsea benefited from a free kick, but the shot hit the wall formed by the Gunners' players. The Londoners asked for a kick from 11 meters, but the referee only dictated a corner kick.

• Min. 34: Martinelli misses a huge opportunity for Arsenal! After breaking into a very good position from about 11 yards out, he opted to pirouette back and his finish was blocked, with Sanchez managing to grab the ball.

• Min. 21: First chance of the match. Piero Hincapie shoots left-footed towards the far corner, but Robert Sanchez saves with a good dive.

• broadcasting: Digi Sport 2

Arsenal – Chelsea, starting teams:

Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa – Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie – Eze, Zubimendi, Rice – Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
reserves: Raya – Calafiori, G. Jesus, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Norgaard, Trossard, White
Coach: Mikel Arteta

Chelsea (3-5-2): Sanchez – Fofana, Chalobah, Hato – Gusto, Caicedo, A. Santos, E. Fernandez, Cucurella – Delap, Joao Pedro
reserves: Sharman-Lowe – Acheampong, Badiashile, Estevao, Garnacho, Guiu, Holland, Mheuka, Palmer
Coach: Liam Rosenior

Referee: Peter Banks
Stadium: Emirates Stadium, London