Kai Havertz Stoppage-Time Stunner Sends Arsenal to Carabao Cup Final

Kai Havertz delivered a moment of pure, dramatic poetry against his former club, scoring a 97th-minute winner to send Arsenal to the Carabao Cup final. The German striker, introduced as a substitute, struck deep into stoppage time at the Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2026, securing a 1-0 victory on the night and a 4-2 aggregate triumph over Chelsea. The goal came from a devastating counter-attack, with Declan Rice providing the assist before Havertz calmly rounded goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to tap into an empty net, crushing Chelsea’s late push for an equalizer.

The victory books Arsenal’s place at Wembley Stadium for the final on March 22, 2026, ending an eight-year wait for a League Cup final appearance. Mikel Arteta’s side will face the winner of the other semi-final between Manchester City and Newcastle United, marking a significant milestone in the manager’s project. The result underscores the growing resilience and tactical maturity of the squad, having expertly navigated a tense, two-legged London derby.

For Havertz, the goal was a poignant and powerful act of vindication. Since his move from Chelsea in 2023, the forward has often been scrutinized, but his decisive contribution in such a high-stakes clash etches his name into a key moment of Arsenal’s season. As the final whistle blew, the celebrations at the Emirates signaled a team—and a striker—peaking at the perfect time, with Wembley glory now firmly in their sights.

For Kai Havertz, the goal was a poignant and powerful moment. Having joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, his decisive contribution against his former club in such a high-stakes clash is a storybook twist. It not only vindicates his importance to Arteta’s system but also etches his name into Arsenal folklore with a stoppage-time winner that will be remembered for years to come. As the final whistle blew, the scenes of celebration at the Emirates signaled a team and a striker peaking at the perfect moment, with Wembley glory now firmly in their sights.