Arsenal will take a one-goal lead into their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea after two goals from Alejandro Garnacho gave the Blues a lifeline despite falling to a defeat in Liam Rosenior’s first home game in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Mikel Arteta’s side scored through a set-piece after just seven minutes as defender White scored his first Arsenal goal in almost two years by heading in Declan Rice’s corner. Under-fire striker Gyokeres then punished weak goalkeeping from Robert Sanchez, bundling in on the goal line for his first goal from open play in 11 matches.
Substitute Garnacho pulled one back for Chelsea to give the hosts some hope - but Zubimendi then thrashed an excellent finish past Sanchez to restore Arsenal’s advantage.
Garnacho, however, controlled a volley past Kepa Arrizabalaga to cut Arsenal’s lead for a second time ahead of the return leg at the Emirates, where Chelsea will hope to have Cole Palmer, Reece James and Moises Caicedo returning to the squad.
Follow all the action from Chelsea v Arsenal in our live blog below
Chelsea v Arsenal live
- FULL TIME! Arsenal take one-goal lead into second leg despite Garnacho double
- 83' GOAL! Garnacho offers Chelsea another lifeline [CHE 2-3 ARS]
- 71' GOAL! Zubimendi restores Arsenal's two-goal lead [CHE 1-3 ARS]
- 57' GOAL! Garnacho comes off the bench to pull one back [CHE 1-2 ARS]
- 49' GOAL! Gyokeres punishes Sanchez error to double lead [CHE 0-2 ARS]
- '7 GOAL! White heads in as Arsenal strike early from corner [CHE 0-1 ARS]
Liam Rosenior defends Robert Sanchez
23:45 , Kieran Jackson“The first goal was disappointing; that was a team goal, not on Rob. I was asking Rob to do things he hasn’t done before.
“When my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. He made a save in the second half which was absolutely world class.
“He will improve in terms of his understanding, he’s had a very good season, my job is to help them, not to blame them.”
Arsenal defender Ben White, speaking to Sky Sports:
23:30 , Kieran Jackson"We didn't play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure. That's how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It's a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win."
On scoring: "I was free and managed to get into space."
On his assist for Viktor Gyokeres: "I knew he was going to be waiting for the ball across. I didn't really look, to be fair, I was just firing it across."
Cole Palmer injury update provided by Liam Rosenior amid ‘dangerous’ Chelsea squad illness
23:15 , Kieran JacksonAsked about Palmer’s absence, Rosenior said: “This game came too early for him, hopefully he’ll be able to train on Friday.
“He has a minor strain in his thigh. If you play someone with a minor strain in January, it can be six weeks. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks.
“I want to keep the ill players [Delap and Gittens] away from the group. They both have dangerously high temperatures. Hopefully, they can rest up and be OK for Saturday.”
Mikel Arteta on 3-2 win
23:00 , Kieran JacksonShould Arsenal be out of sight in this tie?
“We had the feeling at the end in that dominant period, we had two massive chances to score the fourth one, the result would’ve been very different.
“That feeling is not perfect.”
Mikel Arteta on Martin Zubimendi:
22:30 , Kieran Jackson“What else can he do? He can do whatever he wants.
“We have to keep unlocking that in his brain, he’s so good at occupying spaces, dribbling, winning duels, and when he’s in the box he’s so composed.
“He’s phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance.”
MATCH REPORT: Arsenal provide brutal reality check to new Chelsea boss Rosenior
22:18 , Kieran JacksonMiguel Delaney at Stamford Bridge
It was one of those games, even amid a needlessly relentless period of football, where you can see certain storylines coming together.
Above all, Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge goes some way to setting up the first of a possible series of showdowns with Manchester City for trophies. They each have a foot in the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle United and Chelsea may yet have something to say about that, but the latter will have to improve on this display. It was a tough first home match for Liam Rosenior, even if Mikel Arteta will rightly be livid that Arsenal did not just completely shut this game out. The nature of Alejandro Garnacho’s two goals will only make that worse. It was a bizarrely close end scoreline, when it often felt like it could have been a 4-1.
Full report below:
Arsenal place one foot in Carabao Cup final in brutal reality check for Liam Rosenior
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
22:00 , Jamie BraidwoodPositives for Chelsea to take despite the result, as Rosenior applauds the home fans who have remained.
Chelsea will hope to have Cole Palmer and Reece James back for the second leg. They will have Moises Caicedo, who was suspended tonight.
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:57 , Jamie BraidwoodLiam Rosenior is on the pitch breaking up a confrontation between Fernandez and Zubimendi. Fernandez is furious about a challenge late in the game, I think.
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:56 , Jamie BraidwoodArsenal see out some late Chelsea pressure unscathed. They will take a one-goal lead into the second leg, but a double off the bench from Garnacho gives Chelsea some hope.
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:53 , Jamie Braidwood90+4 mins; Arsenal think they have a late penalty as Jesus is brought down in the box... but he was offside!
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood90+1 mins: Chelsea fans want Sanchez to go long... Chelsea will instead look to build from the back.
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:50 , Jamie Braidwood90 mins: There will be five minutes of added time. Arsenal take a free-kick short and Sanchez collects White’s cross.
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:47 , Jamie Braidwood88 mins: Kepa flaps at a corner as Tosin heads over, and the goalkeeper gets the foul. He is booked for timewasting, though.
Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
21:45 , Jamie Braidwood86 mins; SAVE! Wow! Estevao! He cuts inside and forces Kepa into a flying stop - but was offside anyway!
Chelsea have life in them yet.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal (GARNACHO 83')
21:42 , Jamie BraidwoodHE’S DONE IT AGAIN! Garnacho gives Chelsea another lifeline! A corner is cleared, but only as far as the substitute. He fires a volley down into the ground and it flashes past Kepa, who looked suspect coming for the cross.
There was a VAR check for interference - but the goal is given!
Chelsea 1-3 Arsenal
21:41 , Jamie Braidwood80 mins: Two more changes for Chelsea.
ON: Mheuka, Tosin
OFF: Pedro, Cucurella
And there a boos for a returning Arsenal forward.
ON: Havertz, Jesus
OFF: Gyokeres, Rice
Chelsea 1-3 Arsenal
21:36 , Jamie Braidwood76 mins: Brilliant save from Sanchez to deny Merino! It’s been a tough night for the goalkeeper but his right foot denies Merino as he struck a bouncing volley.
Chelsea are on the ropes though. Gabriel should make it four as he meets a Rice corner but heads into the ground and over.
Arsenal's two-goal cushion restored
21:34 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeA beautiful finish from Martin Zubimendi gives Arsenal breathing space once again.
And the Chelsea fans are quiet once more.
Jubilation in the away end...
Chelsea 1-3 Arsenal
21:33 , Jamie Braidwood73 mins: Arsenal are signing of Wembley. Chelsea surely don’t turn this around from two goals down at the Emirates.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-3 Arsenal (ZUBIMENDI 71')
21:30 , Jamie BraidwoodTWO-GOAL LEAD RESTORED! WHAT A FINISH FROM ZUBIMENDI!
Arsenal, in the past two or three minutes, have done an excellent job of controlling the game. And this is a fine goal. Gyokeres is the provider, laying it off in the box. Zubimendi thumped it past Sanchez on his left foot to send the away fans wild. No question over the goalkeeper there.
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
21:26 , Jamie Braidwood67 mins: Rice bends the free-kick over the bar. Time for two Arsenal changes.
OFF: Trossard, Odegaard
ON: Martinelli, Merino
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
21:24 , Jamie Braidwood65 mins: Important touches of calm from Rice and Saliba to slow the game down a touch. Saliba then steps forward to slide a ball forward to Saka, who is fouled by Badiashile.
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
21:20 , Jamie Braidwood61 mins: Now Estevao’s shot is headed behind by Gabriel. Different feel to this game now.
Chelsea back in it
21:19 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeOut of nothing, a lifeline for Chelsea.
Alejandro Garnarcho slots home minutes after coming on and now the Bridge has a bit of bite to it...
GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal (GARNACHO 57')
21:16 , Jamie BraidwoodInstant impact! Garnacho pulls Chelsea back into this!
It’s taken just four minutes. Neto’s cross from the right goes all the way through. Garnacho takes a touch and buries the finish under Kepa.
Game on!
Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal
21:15 , Jamie Braidwood55 mins: Arsenal sense blood and are pushing for a third as Chelsea look to defend another Rice corner.
Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal
21:13 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins: Rosenior has seen enough. He makes his first two changes.
OFF: Guiu, Acheampong
ON: Garnacho, Badiashile
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal (GYOKERES 49')
21:08 , Jamie BraidwoodA BIG GOAL FOR GYOKERES! But it’s horrible from Robert Sanchez!
Ben White gets down the right and puts in a low cross. It squirms through Sanchez’s grasp and there’s Gyokeres to bundle in on the line.
It’s not a pretty goal - but it’s his first non-penalty goal in 11 games. The Arsenal players look chuffed for him.
Arsenal double their lead. Long way back for Chelsea now.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
21:07 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins: Kepa is quick off his line to clear for Arsenal. Chelsea would like to test their former No 1 a bit more in this second half.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
21:04 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: Estevao gets us back underway.
Can Chelsea break Arsenal's streak?
21:01 , Jamie BraidwoodArsenal have scored the opening goal in a 25th game this season.
Will tonight by the 25th time they’ve gone on to win?
Or can Chelsea be the first team to come from behind against the Gunners?
Arsenal deservedly lead
20:50 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeFeint boos from the Chelsea fans; not the first half of football Liam Rosenior would’ve wanted in his first home match as Blues boss.
The inexplicably slow passing from the back is particularly irking the Bridge faithful.
Ben White’s header is the difference at the interval...
HALF TIME! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:48 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd that’s it! Ben White’s header gives Arsenal the advantage, half-way through the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:47 , Jamie Braidwood45 mins: There will be one minute of added time, as an Arsenal corner comes to nothing due to a foul in the box.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:45 , Jamie Braidwood44 mins: Now Cucurella is booked as Saka skips past him and the full-back brings him down. Saka has been fairly quiet so far. That gives him some incentive to dribble at Cucurella in the second half.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:44 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: Audible frustration as Chelsea play out from the back and Sanchez takes his time finding the pass.
But Chelsea do break through, leading to a break for Acheampong. Trossard is booked, as is Estevao, who was complaining to the referee.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood40 mins: CLOSE! Chelsea back off Saliba and the Arsenal centre-back thinks why not! He curls an effort just over the crossbar, rippling the top of the netting.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:40 , Jamie Braidwood39 mins: Gyokeres gets his head to an Odegaard cross but it loops wide. That was a bit awkward, in fairness. But Gyokeres is not offering Arsenal much and Arteta has both Havertz and Jesus on the bench.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:36 , Jamie Braidwood34 mins: Rice strides forward and sparks a counter-attack as Odegaard feeds in Timber. It ends in a shot for Trossard that rises over. There’s still an open feel to this. Without that White opener, it would feel like an even game.
Better from Chelsea
20:35 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeFirst Joao Pedro’s cross-shot which came close and then that rasping shot from Estevao.
Suddenly, Chelsea are carving out some opportunities...
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:32 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: SAVE! Estevao cuts past Timber and fires a stinging shot through the legs of Timber. Kepa saves and Arsenal defend the corner. Chelsea need more of those moments from the teenager.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:31 , Jamie Braidwood29 mins: Trossard goes solo and almost wriggles himself into a goalscoring position, but he wins another Arsenal corner for Rice to swing in.
Sanchez collects this one.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:29 , Jamie Braidwood28 mins: Neat play from Chelsea on the edge of the box and they try and probe and look for a way through. A clever ball to Pedro leads to the Brazil firing across goal, but Chelsea just needed a touch! Their best move so far.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:28 , Jamie Braidwood26 mins: Estevao plays in Acheampong, who is filling in at right back, but the youngster blasts over and was offside anyway. Chelsea are still yet to create a chance.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:26 , Jamie Braidwood24 mins: Fernandez’s foul on Odegaard gave Arsenal an opportunity. Odegaard clipped it in and it fell kindly to Zubimendi, but the volley was sliced over the bar.
Arsenal's opening 20
20:24 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeLiam Rosenior is regularly turning around to his staff on the touchline in exasperation at what he’s seeing out there.
No more so than when a needless set-piece is conceded...
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:23 , Jamie Braidwood22 mins: Neto skips past Saka and White down the left but his low cross is behind the 18-yard line and is whacked away by Rice. Estevao is then crowded out by Timber.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:20 , Jamie Braidwood19 mins: Rosenior applauds on the touchline but it’s difficult for Chelsea to get their foot on the ball at the moment. Arsenal are pressing them very well.
Pedro’s cross looks for Neto but is overhit.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:17 , Jamie Braidwood15 mins: A sighter for Gyokeres after good work from Saka on the right. He worked a yard of space but dragged the shot across goal and wide, although it took a touch on the way through.
It gives Arsenal another corner. Sanchez flaps at it, but this time gets the foul. Arsenal sense a weakness there, no doubt.
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:16 , Jamie BraidwoodHow frustrating this must be for Liam Rosenior. A simple goal from a corner.
Ben White gives Arsenal the lead just seven minutes into the first leg 🔴
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
More set-piece joy for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge! pic.twitter.com/X3fbmmaNxj
Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal
20:14 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: A sight of goal for Enzo Fernandez but he fires a tame effort straight at Kepa. Neto’s shot is then blocked by Saliba.
Arsenal have scored first 22 times this season and won... 22 games. A big challenge for Chelsea now.
White with the opener
20:11 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeArsenal’s set-piece machine keeps on rolling!
There’s bemusement on the Chelsea bench at the simplicity of that goal - but it’s a mistake from Robert Sanchez for me!
A VAR review is quickly waved away.
Declan Rice, by the corner flag, could not resist a good old glance and smile towards the Chelsea crowd after that goal.... Arsenal with the early advantage.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (WHITE 7')
20:08 , Jamie BraidwoodFIRST CORNER, FIRST GOAL! Ben White heads in Rice’s cross!
This remarkable set-piece record gets even better; already with the most goals from set-pieces in Europe this season, they add another.
It’s so, so simple. Arsenal crowded Sanchez, Rice sent it into the packed box. Sanchez flapped and White headed in his first Arsenal goal since 2024.
VAR had a quick check. But the goal was swiftly given. Set-piece again ole, ole, ole.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
20:07 , Jamie Braidwood6 mins: Pedro is dropping deep into midfield, leaving Guiu with the unenviable task of taking on Gabriel tonight. The young Spaniard is involved in an early tussle with the giant defender that does not go his way.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
20:04 , Jamie Braidwood3 mins: Cucurella wins an early corner for Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez looks to loft it towards the front post and under the crossbar, but puts it into the side-netting.
Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
20:02 , Jamie Braidwood1 mins: Almost a very quick start from Arsenal as Saka skips around Cucurella from the long pass and tries to cut a ball back from the byline. Saka v Cucurella is a key battle tonight.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
20:01 , Jamie BraidwoodUnderway at the Bridge! It’s a big night for Liam Rosenior as he takes charge of his first home game, and for Arsenal as they look take a step closer to winning a first trophy in six years.
Before kick-off, we had a minute’s applause for the late Chelsea and Scotland left back Eddie McCreadie, who won the 1976 League Cup with the club and passed away a couple of days ago.
Chelsea and Arsenal fans agree on one thing
19:56 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford Bridge“Who hates Tottenham... Chelsea” sing the home fans.
Arsenal fans, feel free to join in...
Chelsea vs Arsenal
19:56 , Jamie BraidwoodLiam Rosenior says Chelsea have “been through the wars” in the past couple of days due to injury and illness, with Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens ruled out this afternoon and Reece James now dealing with a hip problem. Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer are also unavailable. They are up against it.
The players are in the tunnel as we approach kick-off.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
19:53 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeJust under 10 minutes until kick-off here at the Bridge - and the atmosphere is slowly building on a cool evening in west London. Cue the lightshow.
Thankfully, it’s not the freezing sub-zero weather we’ve seen since 2026 started!
Last time out
19:50 , Kieran JacksonMikel Merino’s second-half equaliser rescued a point for Arsenal here in the Premier League in November, even though they played the majority of the contest a man up after Moises Caicedo’s sending off.
Caicedo is also suspended for tonight’s clash.
Reece James not in the squad
19:45 , Kieran JacksonJames is present at Stamford Bridge, but is not fit enough to start.
He’ll be watching alongside Cole Palmer, also absent for Liam Rosenior.
Kepa in goal for the Gunners
19:40 , Kieran JacksonArsenal’s back-up option retains his spot in-between the sticks.
Arrizabalaga was the hero in the quarter-finals as the Gunners scraped through on penalties against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal's wretched semi-final run:
19:35 , Kieran JacksonSince the FA Cup victory in 2020, Mikel Arteta has lost six and drawn two of all semi-final matches he’s played:
2021, Europa League — Villarreal, 1-2 (a) first leg, 0-0 (h) second leg
2022, Carabao Cup — Liverpool, 0-0 (a), 0-2 (h)
2025, Carabao Cup — Newcastle, 0-2 (h), 0-2 (a)
Champions League — PSG, 0-1 (h), 1-2 (a)
Rosenior arrives for his Bridge bow
19:22 , Kieran JacksonA big night for Chelsea’s new manager - his first match at Stamford Bridge.
Not often new managers have semi-finals for their first home match...
ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
19:10 , Kieran Jackson at Stamford BridgeIt’s near enough Mikel Arteta’s strongest side, barring Kepa Arrizabalaga continuing in goal.
William Saliba is fit to start.
Arsenal starting XI: Arrizabalaga, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
19:03 , Kieran JacksonNo Cole Palmer or Reece James for the hosts but Marc Cucurella starts.
Double boost for Arsenal.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Acheampong, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto, Guiu.
Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, George, Tosin, Hato, Essugo, Mheuka, Buonanotte, Garnacho.
Is Chelsea vs Arsenal on TV today?
18:45 , Kieran JacksonThe match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 14 January at Stamford Bridge. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting at 7pm.
You can also watch the game online via NOW TV.
Good evening
17:00 , Jamie BraidwoodLiam Rosenior takes charge of his first Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge as the Blues host Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.
Rosenior got off to a perfect start in his first match in the Blues dugout as his side beat Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round on Saturday night.
As for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, they are unbeaten since losing to Aston Villa at the start of December, including a penalty shoot-out win over Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals, and last time out defeated Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup.
It finished all-square the last time these two met in November, with Mikel Merino cancelling out Trevoh Chalobah’s goal in a match memorable for Moises Caicedo’s red card in the first-half.
