By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 17:05 EST, 14 January 2026 | Updated: 17:05 EST, 14 January 2026
Arsenal scored two goals off errors by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to set up a 3-2 win at Chelsea in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
A corner sailed over Sanchez in the seventh minute, allowing Ben White to head into an unguarded net, before the Spanish keeper let a low cross squirm through his grasp to gift Viktor Gyokeres a tap-in in the 49th.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho pulled a goal back but Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal´s two-goal cushion by slotting home a finish in the 70th.
Garnacho´s second goal - in the 83rd - gave Chelsea a lifeline ahead of the second leg on Feb. 3 at Arsenal´s Emirates Stadium.
Still, Mikel Arteta´s team is the favorite to advance to the March 22 final at Wembley Stadium in what is shaping up to be a banner season for the Gunners, who lead the Premier League by six points and top the Champions League standings.
In the other semifinal matchup, Manchester City won 2-0 at Newcastle in the first leg on Tuesday. Their second match is on Feb. 4.
Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, center, tries to catch the ball during the English League Cup semifinal first leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Arsenal's Viktor Gyoekeres, second right, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English League Cup semifinal first leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho clears the ball during the English League Cup semifinal first leg soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal in London, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)