JAKARTA - Mikel Arteta described Arsenal's miraculous achievement of reaching the Carabao Cup final as the best vitamin that could add energy to his team.
Kai Havertz's late goal was enough to give the Gunners a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Wednesday, February 4, early morning WIB, securing a 4-2 aggregate win to secure their place in the Carabao Cup final for the first time in six years.
On a cold and rainy night at the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea adopted a cautious approach that turned this game into a tiring match, but was unable to add a goal threat when they brought in Cole Palmer and Estevao in the 60th minute.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has suffered his first significant setback since replacing Enzo Maresca last month.
For Arteta, his team can now look forward to the summit clash at Wembley against the winner of Manchester City or Newcastle United on March 22, 2026.
Arsenal's only trophy under Arteta was won in the 2020 FA Cup final. They have lost the next four semi-finals before this latest victory.
"We've only got one more game. It's the best vitamin we can put in our body because we're playing every three days."
"But the fact that we have worked so hard to achieve those moments and have these moments together is just magical."
"You can see the excitement, the smiles, the energy of everyone who works at the club. Winning helps in everything."
"Confidence, energy, you name it. We'll be there (Carabao Cup final) in a few weeks, we'll prepare well."
"Meanwhile, we know that we need to put it aside because three days later we will face a big game in the English League (against Sunderland)," Arteta said in a press conference after the match.
Havertz celebrated the winning goal against his former club by pointing to the Arsenal emblem as he was surrounded by his teammates in recognition of a difficult year, in which he struggled with a serious hamstring and knee injury in the last year.
"Not just me, I think everyone who knows Kai a little, we feel very happy for him in a special way because he deserves the best."
"The way he works, the way he treats people, the way he behaves every day. Today is a special moment for him. I hope he enjoys it because he really deserves it," said Arteta.
Meanwhile, Rosenior revealed after the match that Reece James and Pedro Neto failed the fitness test on the morning of the match.
After the defeat to Arsenal, he challenged his players to bounce back against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League this weekend.
"There are many encouraging signs. Now I need to see how we perform after experiencing setbacks."
"We need to react positively. We have a difficult game at home to Wolves on Saturday (7 February 2026). I need to see how we react to that," said Rosenior.
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