Chelsea were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with Robert Sanchez enduring a difficult night
Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist
22:04, 14 Jan 2026
Chelsea's Robert Sanchez was at fault for two Arsenal goals in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
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Chelsea's Robert Sanchez was at fault for two Arsenal goals in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg(Image: (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images))
Robert Sanchez made two unforced errors to help hand Arsenal the advantage over Chelsea despite an Alejandro Garnacho brace in their Carabao Cup semi-final. Liam Rosenior's first match at Stamford Bridge got off to a bad start as Sanchez flapped at a Declan Rice corner which allowed Ben White to head home into an empty net.
There was a brief VAR check for offside on Viktor Gyokeres, but he was deemed to have not interfered in the play. Though that was a major talking point especially after Antoine Semenyo's controversial strike that was ruled out the previous evening, Sanchez was at fault.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Premier League defender Matthew Upson said: "I don't know where Robert Sanchez is going as he's fishing for it.
Arsenal score against Chelsea after a Robert Sanchez error
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Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for Arsenal's first goal(Image: Getty Images)
"The Chelsea players are stunned. Ben White is in the right place at the right time and nods it in from about three yards out."
Sanchez was then arguably at fault for Arsenal's second as he attempted to gather a Ben White cross but ultimately took all the pace of his pass which allowed Viktor Gyokeres a simple tap-in after the ball slipped out of his hands.
Upson, while reluctant to do so, was again critical of the Blues goalkeeper as he pointed to Sanchez's reaction as the clear reason that he should have done better.
He said: "Chelsea were caught cold, really out of position from the throw-in. It's such good play from Bukayo Saka, he waits for the overlap, it comes.
Bukayo Saka celebrates
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Bukayo Saka was influential in Arsenal's second goal against Chelsea(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
"Dare I say Robert Sanchez has a bit of a mishap, for me. His reaction says he feels he should do better. As the cross comes in he makes a bit of a hash of it."
Second-half substitute Garnacho made an immediate impact as he slammed home Pedro Neto's cross to the far post. However, the Gunners restored their two-goal advantage through Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard was found by Gyokeres on the edge of the box and after skipping past a Wesley Fofana, fired an effort into the back of the net that Sanchez could do nothing about.
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Garnacho was able to reduce the deficit again though as he hit a loose ball into the ground with Kepa Arrizabalaga caught out of his goal. A VAR check followed for a potential foul on the Spaniard, but it was deemed that Tosin did not commit an offence.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser on the night but Arsenal held firm and take a one-goal advantage back to Emirates Stadium for the second leg on Tuesday, February 3.
The two London clubs return to Premier League action this weekend as Arsenal face Nottingham Forest while Chelsea host Brentford.