Mikel Arteta celebrated Arsenal’s dramatic entry into a major cup final after a stoppage-time goal from substitute Kai Havertz secured a 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea on March 12, 2024. This marks Arsenal’s first appearance in a significant cup final in six years, providing a crucial morale boost for the team as they prepare for the upcoming match.
On a challenging night at the Emirates Stadium, where rain fell heavily, Chelsea adopted a cautious strategy that ultimately limited their attacking threat. Despite introducing key players, including Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea could not find the goal needed to turn the tie in their favour. The defeat is a setback for Chelsea’s new head coach, Liam Rosenior, who took over from Enzo Maresca just last month.
Arteta described his team’s achievement as “the best vitamins we can put in our bodies,” emphasizing the importance of winning for team morale. “We’re only one match away,” he stated at the post-match news conference. “The joy, the smiles, the energy from everyone that works at the club—winning helps in every sense. We’re going to be there in a few weeks, and we’ll prepare well.”
Arsenal’s last triumph under Arteta came in the 2020 FA Cup final, and prior to this victory, the club had faced disappointment in four consecutive semifinals. The upcoming final is scheduled for March 22, 2024, at Wembley Stadium, where Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United.
Kai Havertz, who scored the decisive goal against his former club, celebrated by pointing to the Arsenal badge, a gesture that resonated with teammates and fans alike. Arteta expressed his happiness for Havertz, acknowledging the challenges the player faced due to injuries over the past year. “He deserves the best,” Arteta remarked. “Today was a special moment for him.”
In contrast, Rosenior was left to regroup his squad following the loss. He revealed that key players suffered injuries and failed fitness tests on the morning of the match. “There are a lot of encouraging signs,” he commented. “Now I need to see what we look like after a setback. We have a difficult game away in Wolves on Saturday, and I need to see what our reaction is to that.”
As Arsenal revels in its cup final berth, the team’s focus will now shift to maintaining momentum as they navigate their busy schedule, which includes a critical Premier League clash against Wolves just three days after the triumph. The excitement surrounding the club is palpable, and the upcoming weeks will be pivotal for both Arsenal and Chelsea as they seek to solidify their standings in the league and cup competitions.
