London, January 14 (NA) -- Arsenal secured a crucial victory at Stamford Bridge by defeating Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals. In a fast-paced match with multiple defensive errors, Mikel Arteta's team was superior for most of the game, although the goals from Alejandro Garnacho kept the tie alive. The match quickly turned in favor of the Gunners. In the 7th minute, Declan Rice executed a corner kick from the left, and a poor communication between Robert Sánchez and Marc Cucurella led to the 1-0. Ben White took advantage of the goalkeeper's hesitation and scored with his head with an open goal. A quick one-two between White and Bukayo Saka ended in a precise cross that found Sánchez again in a poor position. Pedro Neto made a run on the right, White failed to clear the ball, and Garnacho appeared unmarked to pull one back. From there, Arsenal managed the game and reduced Chelsea to isolated attempts, such as a long-range strike from Estevao that Kepa Arrizabalaga saved. Twenty minutes from the end, Arsenal struck again: Martín Zubimendi found space and scored with his left foot to make it 3-1. However, Liam Rosenior's team did not give up. The local goalkeeper prevented a larger deficit with a great save from Martin Odegaard. When the match seemed to be heading for a rout, Chelsea reacted. Minutes later, the local goalkeeper prevented a larger deficit with a great save from Martin Odegaard. When the match seemed to be heading for a rout, Chelsea reacted. Viktor Gyökeres pushed the ball to make it 2-0. Before the break, William Saliba was close to extending the lead, but his shot hit the crossbar. At the start of the second half, the visiting team deepened their dominance. Pedro Neto took a corner from the right, and an incomplete clearance from Kepa allowed Garnacho to volley and score his brace for the definitive 3-2. A quick interchange between White and Bukayo Saka ended in a precise cross that found Sánchez poorly positioned again. Pedro Neto made a run down the right, White failed to clear, and Garnacho appeared unmarked to pull one back. From there, Arsenal managed the game and reduced Chelsea to isolated attempts, like a long-range strike from Estevao that Kepa Arrizabalaga saved. Twenty minutes from the end, Arsenal struck again: Martín Zubimendi found space and scored with his left foot to make it 3-1. However, Liam Rosenior's team did not give up. The local goalkeeper prevented a larger deficit with a great save from Martin Odegaard. When the match seemed to be heading for a rout, Chelsea reacted. Minutes later, the local goalkeeper prevented a larger deficit with a great save from Martin Odegaard. When the match seemed to be heading for a rout, Chelsea reacted. Viktor Gyökeres pushed the ball to make it 2-0. Before the break, William Saliba was close to extending the lead, but his shot hit the crossbar. At the start of the second half, the visiting team deepened their dominance.
