Chelsea walked into the Emirates needing belief and urgency, but their defeat to Arsenal left Paul Merson stunned.
Paul Merson Reacts To Chelsea’s Passive Plan
Paul Merson could barely hide his disbelief as Chelsea lost their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg to Arsenal. With a place in the final on the line, the former Arsenal midfielder expected a lot more from the Blues. What he saw instead was a side playing within itself. Chelsea moved the ball neatly across midfield, but the finishing touch was missing. They needed one goal to force extra time, but they rarely looked like a team chasing the game.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “I’m flabbergasted. I can’t believe what I’ve just watched. Chelsea aren’t a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners.
“(Wesley) Fofana is crying. He should be crying because they never had a go. They’ve gone out with a whimper in a semi-final. It hasn’t worked. Go out in a blaze of glory, don’t go out like that. They played in second gear. This is the semi-final of a cup.
“Chelsea have got the players to mix it with Arsenal. And they didn’t have a go. If they’d have lost the game 3-0 but had shot after shot and Kepa (Arrizabalaga) was brilliant and they got broken on three times, that’s the way it is.
“I’ve played in games like that where you come off and you think we just got beat and didn’t really have a go.”
"I honestly can't believe what I've just watched"
Paul Merson says he is 'flabbergasted' by Chelsea's performance against Arsenal 😬 pic.twitter.com/ks1Wrjfb0N
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 3, 2026
Arsenal Stayed Calm As Chelsea Struggle
Arsenal looked like a team that understood the importance of the game perfectly. Mikel Arteta set his side up to take on pressure without panic. Chelsea were allowed possession, but only in areas that caused no damage. The Gunners stayed compact, blocked passing lanes, and waited for mistakes. The longer the match went on, the more the home team grew in confidence.
Chelsea’s slow tempo played into Arsenal’s hands. Every pass was lacking belief from the visitors and lifted the home crowd. Arsenal did not need to chase the ball with a lot of effort. They trusted their shape and discipline.
When chances did come, they were sharper and more direct. That patience paid off deep into stoppage time when Kai Havertz struck late. He sealed the tie and the final place. Arteta’s team looked like a top side that protected their advantage.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s bench also stayed quiet as the minutes slipped away. There was little reaction, no visible push to change the rhythm of the game. The**Premier League** leaders sensed that and stayed in control. They knew the tie was safe as long as the visitors failed to raise the tempo or take risks.
The Blues Face Hard Questions After Exit
This defeat leaves the West London club with serious questions about identity and intent. Knockout football is tough, especially away from home. Numbers like possession and shot count mean little without threat. With that, creating less than one expected goal across such a crucial match shows a lack of intent in the final third. Chelsea’s squad has quality, but quality must be matched with belief.
Paul Merson’s reaction reflected the frustration of many watching. They played safe to avoid mistakes, but it rarely wins semi-finals. Chelsea needed urgency and risk. Instead, they looked hesitant, almost fearful of losing rather than hungry to win the tie.
On the other hand, Arsenal showed what clarity of purpose looks like. Chelsea must now decide what kind of team they want to be when the pressure is highest. They played with fear when courage was needed most. At the end, the Gunners earned their place by trusting their plan and timing.
More on ARSENAL:
Follow Six Sports on
Recommended for you