Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland: What Arteta saidpublished at 17:58 GMT 7 February
17:58 GMT 7 February
Media caption,
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "A really tough game against a really tough opponent. We scored a really beautiful goal with Zubi. They can really break your rhythm and they're really good in what they do. The subs became critical. It was wonderful to watch.
On what Arsenal were good at: "Technically, tactically, mentally. We played a semi-final here a few games ago."
On Viktor Gyokeres: "Very happy. He deserves it. He is a super committed player and he wants to get better. He saw the line-up up and I told him he'd come in and make an impact.
On Leandro Trossard: "He needs to play with that freedom, he is super smart. He understands the space and the timings.
"I'm very upset we didn't score from a set piece!
"It was a very good atmosphere in the stadium and that's what we need. The home form has been really good."
Did you know?
Arsenal will end the day 9+ points clear at the top of the Premier League for the first time since the final day of their 2003-04 title winning campaign (11).
Since the turn of the year, Gyokeres (6) has scored more goals across all competitions than any other Premier League player.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Sunderland", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Sunderlandpublished at 11:12 GMT 7 February
11:12 GMT 7 February
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.
His guest for week 25 is Gladiators star Apollo, real name Alex Gray, who supports Newcastle.
Sutton says: I am not going to say 2-1 for this one. Instead it will be another Arsenal clean sheet - they have already kept 12 in their first 24 league games, two more than any other team.
It's a shame Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka is not fit to face his old club at the Emirates. When he played for the Black Cats against Arsenal in their draw at the Stadium of Light, they were the first team I saw who really rattled the Gunners.
Xhaka's experience has helped to glue together a Sunderland side with a lot of young players this season, but they coped all right without him against Burnley on Monday.
This is a much tougher game for them, obviously, and Sunderland's away form is nowhere near as strong as it is at home.
Arsenal swept Leeds aside 4-0 last weekend, when everyone thought they were having a bit of a blip.
They showed their strength in depth at Elland Road, when they lost Bukayo Saka in the warm-up, and I can see them winning comfortably this time too.
Arsenal v Sunderland: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:01 GMT 6 February
19:01 GMT 6 February
Having extended their lead at the top of the table to six points last week, Arsenal host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT), knowing they boast an enviable record in this fixture.
The Gunners have never lost a Premier League home game against the Black Cats, winning 11 and drawing five of their 16 meetings. Their last top-flight defeat to Sunderland came in a 2-1 loss at Highbury in November 1983.
Despite their defeat against Manchester United a fortnight ago, no team has won more points at home this season than the 29 by Arsenal, and nobody has conceded fewer goals than their eight.
Manager Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard, both of whom missed the 1-0 League Cup semi-final second-leg win over Chelsea on Tuesday.
Saka pulled up injured in the warm-up ahead of last week's 4-0 demolition of Leeds United, during which top scorer Viktor Gyokeres netted his first league goal from open play since 1 November.
With three against Leeds and one against Burnley, four of the Sweden striker's six league goals this season have come against promoted sides, a record that bodes well given Saturday's opposition.
Gyokeres, though, will be keen to add more goals to his game during the title run-in and avoid a reputation as a flat-track bully, especially with the fit-again Gabriel Jesus challenging him for a starting role.
Regis' boys bristling with confidence
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris was keen to talk down his side's chances of European football after their 3-0 dismantling of Burnley on Monday night.
The Black Cats occupy eighth place in the table and their current points tally of 36 would have ensured safety in each of the last 10 seasons.
Crucially, victory over the Clarets showed the Mackems could win without captain Granit Xhaka, who looks set to miss several weeks of action with an ankle injury. After Xhaka, perhaps Le Bris' most influential player this season has been Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs.
The ever-present Roefs has played every minute of Sunderland's return to English football's top tier, with the 23-year-old's commanding performances between the sticks reportedly attracting interest from elsewhere.
Monday's win coincided with Roefs' eighth clean sheet of the season. The last time a goalkeeper kept more for a promoted side was in 2020-21, when Leeds United's Illan Meslier got 11 and Fulham's Alphonse Areola recorded nine.
Arteta on Rosenior comments, Raya's form and Saka's injurypublished at 15:40 GMT 6 February
15:40 GMT 6 February
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arteta said Bukayo Saka, who injured his hip during the warm-up against Leeds, "is much better" and hopes to have the winger back "very soon".
The Arsenal manager also confirmed Martin Odegaard will return in "a matter of days" while Jurrien Timber is available for the visit of Sunderland.
Arteta believes Mikel Merino "can still add value to the team" despite the Spain midfielder being out for months with a foot injury.
On Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior's comments that the Gunners showed "a lack of respect" during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, Arteta said: "At any point, if one of the staff members [encroached Chelsea's area during wamr-up], we apologise. It's very common in football."
Arteta described Sunderland as a team with "very good individuals" and "very clear identity", adding: "It's going to be a really tough match but it's another opportunity to win and to be better in the position."
The Gunners boss said goalkeeper David Raya "has been immense" since he joined the club and that he "is going to a different level" this season.
Arteta also praised Kai Havertz, who scored in the Carabao Cup last-four tie against Chelsea, saying: "To be able to show the level that he has shown immediately after the injury is very impressive."
Asked whether this is the best group he has worked with at the club, he said: "It's an amazing group and they are doing an incredible job so far. We are all very excited and privileged to have each other. We are going to enjoy it until the end of the season."
Arteta also said he is "happy to see what Granit Xhaka is doing" at Sunderland though the former Gunners midfielder will not feature at the Emirates on Saturday because of an injury.
'Insufferable' - so what?published at 09:04 GMT 6 February
09:04 GMT 6 February
Scarlet Katz Roberts Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I'm very glad I'm not an elite athlete. I dream about Pep Guardiola sometimes, and not in a good way. I missed a penalty for my college team in the cup quarter final. I'm superstitious. I dodge every single ladder or scaffolding in London. I make sure I speak to my dog before every game (he never replies), because if I don't then we might lose. Certain people I can't go for a drink with on match days anymore, because they're tainted by defeat, the list goes on.
But that's not the point. I'm not an elite athlete because of many more deficiencies than simply my fragile mind. But that's OK! Because I don't have to face the glare of tens of thousands of fans every week in stadiums, abuse, sharp intakes of breath when I fly too close to the sun against high presses, boos, phone torches etc. Not to mention online platforms which house some pretty unsavoury and negative football chat (naming no names). All those irrational things I do are because I am a fan, specifically of Arsenal Football Club, inching their way painfully, painstakingly towards their first league title in 22 years. I did all those things before our recent resurgence, because I care.
Arsenal as a club and a fanbase have been at the sharp end of criticism from some media outlets who tell us we want it too much, subs shouldn't be running onto the pitch after a League Cup semi final victory! Why is Arteta so animated on the sidelines? He must be a fraud. Why is Odegaard taking a photo of the team photographer? Etc etc.
To those who might describe Arsenal fans as "insufferable", I would say 1) Maybe you're right and 2) So what?
There's several kinds of police already in hot pursuit of the Gunners: Now the celebration police are joined by the decorum police, because Arsenal fans are annoying. To which I would say, whoever thought it was going to be pretty to watch a fanbase who have just missed out on the title three years in a row, after a period of ridicule that has stretched 20 odd years, is absolutely deluded. This is going to be a nightmare! I lose my mind every week. Though I bang the drum constantly about how fans can influence mood, something Mikel Arteta knows only too well, I'm not sure it's our responsibility to keep our heads. After all, we're not professional athletes! Perhaps it was ill-judged of Mikel to suggest we brought our boots and our shinpads, because we're not good at football, and we certainly aren't mentality monsters. But ultimately, that's what football fans are: fickle, reactionary, insecure.
Gossip: Newcastle hierarchy uncertain about Tonali rumourspublished at 07:12 GMT 5 February
07:12 GMT 5 February
Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson says he has "no idea" if Sandro Tonali's agent offered the 25-year-old to Arsenal following rumours linking the Italy midfielder to the Gunners on transfer deadline day. (Talksport), external
Is Havertz the answer to Arsenal midfield conundrum?published at 16:00 GMT 4 February
16:00 GMT 4 February
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Mikel Arteta would not have liked the extra seconds played as his Arsenal team looked to see out their aggregate advantage over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Until Kai Havertz scored, of course.
The Emirates Stadium was initially told there would be six minutes added time. It was only in the 97th minute, when Havertz sprung forward on the counter-attack to score the sole goal of the game, that their passage into the final was secured.
The scenes were naturally jubilant. Havertz, a former Chelsea player, pointed to the Arsenal badge in celebration. There was a pitch invasion from the Arsenal substitutes. Songs about Wembley were sung.
But in the cold light of day, Arteta will hope the moment can provide a springboard for his team and Havertz — and maybe even an answer to a transfer dilemma.
Can Havertz plug midfield gap after Merino injury?
On deadline day, Arteta surprised assembled journalists when talking about the team's need for a new midfielder following a potentially season-ending injury to Mikel Merino.
"We need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available," he said of potentially adding a new player on deadline day. "If we don't, OK, we keep what we have."
Merino is a valuable squad player. In midfield, he provides a thrusting presence and in recent years he has filled in as an emergency forward too. In one-and-a-half years at Arsenal, he has 15 goals.
With no midfielder signed on deadline day, the Gunners will need to go with what they've got. And what they've got, is Havertz.
While he has frequently played as a centre-forward at Arsenal, since his return to fitness from injury Havertz has been used in a more withdrawn role.
This season, the German has played 61% of his minutes as an attacking midfielder or a midfielder. With Viktor Gyökeres signed and Gabriel Jesus also recovered after a lengthy lay-off, Havertz is seemingly no longer required as often at the point of the attack.
What he should still be able to give Arteta, even from deeper positions, is goals. As his breakaway winner showcased on Tuesday night, Havertz has a composure in the final third and that's shone through since his return; he has two goals and an assist in his last three outings.
Since making his debut for Arsenal, only Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard have scored more in all competitions for the team than Havertz.
If he is going to be used in a more withdrawn role, creatively there will be more demands on him. Havertz only has 12 assists since joining the Gunners.
But if Arsenal need a physical, left-sided and versatile midfielder who can chip in with goals to replace Merino for the rest of the season, perhaps — for now at least — that man can be Havertz.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:37 GMT 4 February
10:37 GMT 4 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's semi-final League Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans
Jerry: This is the mark of champions. With backs against the wall, find a way regardless. Arsenal made a good account of themselves matching Chelsea's funny tactics - how do you set up defensively while chasing a game?
Micky: It certainly was not pretty, but a calculated and methodical approach saw us handle the game superbly. We never looked under any serious pressure and that's testament to the players sticking to the process. Well done to Arteta and the boys for getting us to Wembley, now let's go and win what will hopefully be the first of many trophies!
Zyd: For all the negativity that surrounds the way Arsenal play, the reality is that what matters is the scoreline at the end of the 90 minutes. As much as we celebrate our wins because of our solid defence and laser-sharp focus, we need to bring the same focus to the end of the season. A League Cup trophy might give us a mentality boost; it is level heads that will bring us a quadruple.
Bruce: They used to say we 'bottled it'. Now we show grit, steel, concentration and organisation...and we're 'dull'. Bring on 'boring, boring Arsenal'
Rachel: An uncomfortable watch. Yes Arsenal won, but the intensity was lacking and I didn't feel we ever had total control. Can we win a cup final playing like this?
Chelsea fans
Stuart: Totally understand the requirement to frustrate and subdue Arsenal for an hour or so. The concern is that when we did go for it we looked toothless in attack.
Graham: It was always going to be a big ask playing against one of the best teams in Europe, but great to see (at long last) a change of formation that made us more solid and far more flexible. We always needed not to concede and take the game as far as possible and we managed to still be in the tie at 95 minutes. If rotation takes place v Wolves on Saturday, please not seven players but two or three max.
Marco: Well, that was both confusing and disappointing. I understand Rosenior trying something different in terms of formation, but I have no idea why Delap was on the right wing, for example. It felt like a tactic that should be employed when you are winning, not when you are chasing the tie. The lack of urgency and obsession with keeping the ball would make one feel that Chelsea were the team in the lead. This is not how you want to see your team get knocked out.
Nicholas: Arsenal certainly didn't deserve to win this game but maybe we didn't create enough chances to win it either. I really don't think they are that good a team. They only appear to be good because everyone else is so average and that applies to European football in general. It's just not of a high calibre at the moment.
Keith: Good effort from Chelsea. Unlucky to lose on the night really, although Arsenal deserved it over the two legs. Thought the referee was too quick to stop the play. Delap has to go though, just not up to it!
'You have to win it' - Dixonpublished at 10:34 GMT 4 February
10:34 GMT 4 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon speaking about a place in the Carabao Cup final on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "It is a building process and we have seen steady progress until Mikel Arteta.
"Sometimes we have been left disappointed that they haven't fulfilled their potential but it takes time.
"You don't always get the results that you think you should get and you fall a bit short.
"As a player, I never got too excited [when in a final] because you have to win it but getting to that position in four competitions and potentially winning all four, that could be a stretch.
"You would like to think you would get two or three of those positions."
'Important Arsenal win a trophy again'published at 08:11 GMT 4 February
08:11 GMT 4 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Arsenal and West Ham defender Matthew Upson says the Gunners progressing to the Carabao Cup final is another result of the "foundations" created by Mikel Arteta over his six years as manager.
It will be their first final under Arteta since he guided them to FA Cup victory in 2020 - and just their second in his time at the club.
"It's massive for Arsenal, there were big celebrations and the dressing room would have been absolutely buzzing," Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"I think there was also an element of relief because it never felt like they could relax at any point of the game, there was jeopardy all the way through.
"Even though Arsenal had the upper hand, you always felt like something was about to happen.
"Arteta was his usual energetic, on the edge self, but it's cup football so it has a different feel to it.
"You could sense that and his reaction when the goal went in - he just turned to his bench and they were all up and on the pitch running over and the celebrations began.
"This has been a few years in the making. There's been a steady build up to this place for Arsenal and there has been some difficult times.
"I think the supporters are just as keen and eager as the players and manager to win a serious trophy. They want a Premier League, but this is a big part of achieving that goal.
"It is important that they win a semi-final. It is important that they win a trophy again because they're not winning enough, given they have been amongst it for quite a while.
"That is what this season is all about. If you go all the way and do it. What that will do for the Premier League boost, then it is massive. The momentum and the feel of the stadium at the end is great for Arsenal.
"Arteta has been there a while now, building foundations, the ethos of the team and the togetherness they have. That's a strong part of what he's built.
"Adapting is big and maybe you only learn that through failure and getting things wrong.
"Arteta is a young coach who is always developing and learning and this is his first time pushing at the top level for all these trophies."
Gossip: Arsenal eye Goretzkapublished at 08:02 GMT 4 February
08:02 GMT 4 February
Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, 30, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich in the summer, could be on his way to Arsenal on a free transfer. (Bayern Insider), external
Analysis: The start of significant periodpublished at 23:01 GMT 3 February
23:01 GMT 3 February
Alex Howell Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The noise from the home supporters as Kai Havertz's late strike rolled into the net signalled the significance of this victory for Arsenal.
The Gunners have not won a major trophy since they lifted the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta's first season in 2020 and, after three successive second-placed finishes in the Premier League, reaching a final feels like an important step in the grand plan to secure silverware.
Arteta was part of Pep Guardiola's backroom staff when Manchester City won their first trophy and saw the impact it had has they started a period of dominance.
Arsenal have built a squad packed with quality and are having an excellent season. They are top of the Premier League, are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, have a clean sweep of eight victories in the Champions League so far - and now a place in the Carabao Cup final.
Arteta has high demands on his side and now any dreams of winning silverware feel well within reach.
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: What Arteta, Rice and Timber saidpublished at 22:38 GMT 3 February
22:38 GMT 3 February
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to ITV1: "Did I enjoy it? Very much - especially at the end. We knew it was going to be a real battle out there. That resilience, that clarity to understand what kind of game we had to play... we did that so well.
"There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference. We've been waiting a few years to get into this position and we're certainly going to enjoy it [the final]."
And speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a big night and it ended in a perfect way. We knew it was going to be a really tough one - the conditions made it a real battle. We competed so well and we understood what he had to do. It was a game of very, very fine margins."
Arsenal's Declan Rice, speaking to ITV1: "Credit to Chelsea to be fair. Since their new manager has come in they've been really, really good.
"They changed the formation and gave us problems. On another night they could have scored - but credit where it is due, our defence was incredible.
"We have a group who really want it. Whatever team comes at us, we're ready for it. When you play a team like Chelsea they throw so many things at you physically and mentally.
"You've got to have that resilience to stay strong and keep going.
"We deserve it. The past three or four years we've been at the top of the Premier League competing and got really close but haven't been good enough.
"That's why this season we have that extra desire and fire in our bellies to go one step further in every competition. There's a long way to go but to be in a cup final with this club is amazing."
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "The atmosphere at the end just makes me smile. On to Wembley! First of all, I didn't know if he [Kai Havertz] was going to pass. He went around the keeper and he did amazing.
"For Kai being out for so long and coming back, the love he gets from the fans says a lot. You could feel it coming - he goes around the goalkeeper, and you know everyone is going to go crazy. Chelsea are a great team. They have some amazing players. They also have amazing players coming off the bench. When you win over two legs twice, I think you have done an amazing job, so credit to the team. The desire is there - we are very hungry. We are in an amazing position."
