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After a nervy 90 minutes of football at the Emirates Stadium, with Chelsea constantly probing the Arsenal goal, a counter attack sprung by Declan Rice led to a goal by Kai Havertz to put all doubts to rest.
Despite the heavy sighs of relief at the final whistle, the performance was hardly one to be proud of. The Gunners left many fans clenching their teeth in distress for much of the evening; here are the positives and negatives to be gleaned from this semi-final victory.
Positive #1: The Red Wall
Arsenal's defence solidity has been brought into question in the last few games, particularly in the abysmall 3-2 home loss to Manchester United. The previous time they conceded three was all the way back in 2023, in a 4-3 victory over Luton Town.
Arteta's backline remained unchanged throughout the full 90, and it was clear to see why. The defence quartet were imperious throughout the match, tackling Chelsea's aggression head on.
A special mention goes to Piero Hincapie, who has been immense since coming into the starting line-up in place of Ricardo Calafiori. The Leverkusen invincibles' eite composure on the ball, and bravery in challenges may mean the Italian will have to get used to his position on the bench.
Negative #1: A taxing slog
With a first final for Mikel Arteta on the cards since 2020, this was a game that could afford no risk. Only three changes were from the team that started in the 4-0 wrought of Leeds.
Much criticism has been levied against Arteta for his inability to rotate the squad, causing injuries to pile up. In a testing Premier League run, Arsenal need their players as sharp as possible, and with the midfield numbers dwindling thanks to Mikel Mireno being ruled out for a lengthy spell, one more in that area could spell the end of the Gunners' title charge.
Whilst Arteta's cauitous approach to making substitions did result in a clean sheet, many of the starters on Saturday's game played another full 90 minutes today,with Mikel using only 2 of the available 5 changes available to him.
Positive #2: A goal that rubs salt in the wound
As Kai Havertz heroicly marched off having just scored the goal to doom his former club and proudly pointing to the badge over his heart, their wasn't a single Arsenal fan not grinning from ear to ear.
After a gruelling and sweaty contest that saw dives, time wasting, penalty pleas and confrontations, to put the final nail in the coffin with a goal from a counter attack would have sent blues hearts plummeting and more force behind the notion that London is redder than ever.
Negative #2: Corners finally scuppered?
As Noni Madueke stood over the ball to take Arsenal's first corner of the match, 3 Chelsea players could be seen darting to the halfway line, dragging three red shirts with them, and neutering the potential set-piece threat.
This isn't the first time a team has used this tactic against the Gunners, with Monaco first employing it in the Champions League, sending three men high to drag Arsenal out.
The fear, however, is that more Premier League teams catch on, and use this tactic to permanently neutralise one of Arsenal's most dependable attacking threats.
Positive #3: Through to the final!
A title has eluded Mikel Arteta's men since the 2020 FA Cup win over Chelsea. In the following four seasons since Arteta's first season trophy, the Gunners haven't even managed a final.
Pundits and rival fans have long since berated Arsenal for their lack of winning mentality, and perhaps they were right.
This monumental breakthrough could signal the shift in mentality for the Gunners, who are aiming for all four titles this season, and an end the disappointment that has plagued fans year after year.
Negative #3: A lacklustre performance
Yes, Arsenal walked away victorious and Chelsea were the team with mud on their face, but the game plan was arguably far too risky and needless.
Mikel Arteta could be seen berating Declan Rice for playing a ball through the middle, urging him to pass wide. The Gunners looked lethargic and were unwilling to chase balls and go on the attack. Statistically Chelsea dominated the Emirates, taking 56% possesion and having 14 shots in comparison to Arsenal's miserly 5.
This time the Spaniards tactics payed off, but with 3 rounds of two-legged ties to battle through in the Champions League, are the players prepared to suffer the 90 minutes without a single slip-up. Preferably, we will see the attackers kill off the game early, and creative players such as Eberechi Eze, who was a ghost for huge swathes of the match, play more prominant roles.
That being said, now Gooners have a Caraboa Cup final to look forward to on the 22nd March, and the Arsenal are only one game away from lifting their first piece of silverware of the season.