Arsenal claimed victory in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal pushes teammate Viktor Gyokeres to celebrate
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal pushes teammate Viktor Gyokeres to celebrate(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
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Viktor Gyokeres ended his goal drought to give Arsenal a precious lead - and then promised there is more to come.
Gunners striker Gyokeres scored only his second goal in 11 games, his first from open play since November 1 and also provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi. The Swedish striker's celebration told a story, looking slightly embarrassed to celebrate in front of the visiting supporters and having to be pushed to do so by team-mates that clearly have his back and were delighted for him.
It gave Arsenal victory ahead of next month’s return leg at the Emirates but Alejandro Garnacho’s double gave new Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior hope. Gyokeres said: “That's what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going. It's still a second leg but of course it's good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg, but we still have to do a good performance in the second match.
“I think it was a tough game. We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they have counter-attacks, but I think we defended well. Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who enjoyed his first win in nine two-legged semi final ties, admitted he felt his side could have killed the game off.
Arteta said: “I have to praise the players for the performance, for the game that we just played against a really good opponent.
“With so much quality on that pitch, we had the feeling at the end after we made it 3-1 and the very dominant period that we had in that time, that we had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different.
“But in that moment, they had an action, they created a corner, they scored a goal, and's it’s game on. So that feeling is not perfect but as well we have to value what the team has done again.”
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior backed his keeper Robert Sanchez who was badly at fault on two of the goals and insists his team are still in the tie.
Rosenior said: “When my players make mistakes, I'm accountable. He made a save in the second-half that was absolutely world-class. That would have put us out of the tie.
“We're playing probably the best pressing team in Europe, their full strength team. I'm proud of the bravery of the players. I've been here six days, I'm not asking for time because I think the team are good enough to win now."
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