Football Daily The Debrief: Arsenal beat Chelsea to reach the League Cup final
Feb 3, 2026
Fran Kirby, professional forward and former Chelsea player offering sharp player-focused insight. She breaks down Arsenal’s control of possession and tempo. She praises Chelsea’s compact defending and Cole Palmer’s calming influence. She reflects on what first silverware can do for a squad.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Late Goal Ends Arsenal Semi-Final Hoodoo
- Arsenal reached the League Cup final with a last-gasp Kai Havertz goal that ended the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
- The win removes the psychological weight of previous semi-final failures and can boost Arsenal's confidence going into other competitions.
Composure Won The Night
- Arsenal showed composure and relief after a tense, tactical tie that remained in doubt until stoppage time.
- Mikel Arteta's side balanced possession control with patience until a decisive moment arrived.
Tactics Over Philosophy For A Tie
- Both managers adapted principled styles to the immediate demands of the tie, prioritising game management over ideology.
- Chelsea pressed and conserved energy for late surges, while Arsenal shifted tempo and used long balls under pressure.