ARSENAL booked their place in the Carabao Cup final after a dramatic late win at home to Chelsea.
It was far from the most exciting semi-final clash as the Gunners did everything they could to keep their one-goal advantage.
And they were almost caught out on a few occasions by some interesting tactical moves by new head coach Liam Rosenior.
But Mikel Arteta and Co ultimately came out on top over the two legs, with former Chelsea man Kai Havertz coming off the bench to seal the 1-0 victory.
SunSport’s Simon Collings was at the Emirates Stadium to rate the performance.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Continued his run of being Arsenal’s ‘cup goalkeeper’ this season. His distribution was decent and he picked out Martinelli with a lovely pass over the top. Suspect on one corner that was almost bundled home by Liam Delap.
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Jurrien Timber – 6
Looks far more settled in this team now he is back playing at right-back regularly. Did not get forward as much as he usually does, however he was solid defensively.
William Saliba – 6
Largely kept Chelsea’s front line under wraps. Would have had his heart in his mouth, though, when VAR checked him wrestling with Joao Pedro at a corner.
Gabriel – 7
Captain for the night and put in a strong display. Made a couple of big blocks and also a good chance for Martinelli, who wasted the opportunity. Went close to scoring himself, but Marc Cucurella did well to block his header.
Piero Hincapie – 7
Went close to scoring his first Arsenal goal with a sweet strike in the opening 20 minutes. That was the Gunners’ only shot on target in the first half – which summed up their struggles in attack. Battled well and was strong in the tackle.
Martin Zubimendi – 6
Guilty of the odd sloppy pass and not at the level he can be on the ball. Did create a huge chance for Gabriel late on when he clipped a cross to the back post.
Declan Rice – 8
The game got very scrappy in the second half and Rice played a key role in steadying the ship. Got through a lot of dirty work – and then showed a moment of real quality in a drab game to setup the winner.
Noni Madueke – 6
Kept his place in the team due to Bukayo Saka being injured. Had a good old battle with Cucurella, who he flattened early doors. Looked lively when making some mazy runs out right, but the end product was lacking.
Eberechi Eze – 5
This felt like a big night for the England star in the absence of Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard.
Eze was handed just his fourth start since the turn of the year, yet he failed to deliver. Far too quiet for a player of his quality.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
One of three changes from Arsenal’s win at Leeds last Saturday. Wasted, probably, the best chance of the first half when he latched onto Gabriel’s long ball. Finished the game on the right wing after Trossard came on.
Viktor Gyokeres – 5
Toiled away up top, but did not cause Chelsea many problems. The Swede will argue he did not have much service, however the little that Gyokeres did get, he wasted.
Subs
Kai Havertz (Gyokeres 69’) – 7
Off the bench – and on the scoresheet. Took his goal with so much composure as Arsenal sealed the win in the dying moments.
Leandro Trossard (Madueke 69’) 7
Brought on out left and brought some composure to the game. Had a big hand in Havertz’s late winner.
Subs not used: Raya, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly
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