Jamie Redknapp has backed Arsenal to go on to win “two or three” trophies after manager Mikel Arteta beat Chelsea on a “magical” night to reach the Carabao Cup final.
That night, in a fierce battle at the Emirates Stadium, substitute Kai Havertz scored the winning goal in the 97th minute against his former club, resulting in a 1-0 victory and a 4-2 aggregate victory, ending the Gunners’ run of four straight defeats in the semi-finals.
With this victory, they are aiming to capitalize on the season on four fronts and claim their first silver medal since the FA Cup in 2020, taking them six points clear at the top of the Premier League, into the last 16 of the Champions League and into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Gunners will face either Manchester City or Newcastle in the final on March 22, but Sky Sports pundit Redknapp feels securing a place at Wembley could be a springboard.
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Highlights of Arsenal vs. Chelsea, Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
“Arsenal are ready to win,” he told Sky Sports.
“They’ve had a tough time coming close over the last few years, but when you look at the depth of the team and the way they’re playing, they’re by far the best team.
“They haven’t been at their best so far, but this result will actually relax them. They might start having a little more fun and play with a little more flair.”
“They have been playing a bit tight, a bit safe, but I think they can play relaxed now and we will see an even better Arsenal than the one we saw at the beginning of the season.
“To reach the cup final, go six points clear in the Premier League and be the first team in the Champions League is an incredible effort.
“There’s no reason why they can’t win two or even three trophies.”
He added: “Arsenal have been ready to win for the last few years.
“The job the coach has done is incredible.
“He takes a lot of criticism, but people are very quick to judge teams and jump on them and talk about the number of goals they scored on set pieces and say, ‘Are they good enough offensively?’
“Arsenal are a winning machine at the moment.
“It’s not always pretty. It wasn’t pretty in 1989 when Arsenal won the league, but there were no pictures on the scorecard.
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Clinton Morrison praises Arsenal’s defensive performance against Chelsea
“Nobody cares about the end of the year. All that’s left is to get the trophy.”
Arteta thanks crowd after Manchester United boos
Arteta enjoyed a special night for his team and thanked the crowd for their support after boos could be heard following the 3-2 loss to Manchester United.
“I’m very happy,” Arteta said after the match. “Overall, through the two games, I think we deserved to advance.
“It was a long game. We expected it. Kai scored the goal like that, the reaction from the crowd, and we ended the game in a beautiful way.”
Declan Rice celebrates victory over Chelsea
“All the starters, finishers and staff were there. It was magical. It was a really tough game against a great opponent and we were really happy to be at Wembley.”
“I think the crowd today was amazing. They brought a lot of energy and belief to the team at different moments. I think we all deserve to be together at Wembley.”
He added: “We play every three days so this is the best vitamin you can put in your body.”
Kai Havertz celebrates the late goal that sealed Arsenal’s place in the Carabao Cup final
“The fact that you work so hard to achieve that moment and to be in this moment together is just magical because you can see the joy, the smiles, the energy, everything.”
Arteta also paid tribute to match-winner Havertz, who made just his sixth appearance of the season after an injury-hit season.
“Everyone who knows Kai will be happy for him in a special way because the way he works, the way he treats people and the way he conducts himself every day deserves the best.
“Today was a special moment for him and I hope he enjoys it because he fully deserves it. I think his teammates enjoyed it as well.”
Analysis: Arsenal’s success was built on defense
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright said this from Emirates Stadium.
Havertz sealed the victory. His well-scored goal against his former club made him Arsenal’s hero that night.
However, this success, like many others this season, was achieved through their overall excellence on defense. Chelsea finished the game with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Estevao on the pitch, but they never seemed to be able to find the goal they needed to tie the game and force extra time.
Arsenal were too well organized, too aggressive and too strong. Remarkably, it was his 20th clean sheet out of 38 games in all competitions. They become the first team among Europe’s top five leagues to reach that milestone this season.
There were many players who made notable contributions to this shutout. Declan Rice was a force of nature in front of the defence. Piero Hincapie excelled as a left-back. Center backs Gabriel and William Saliba weren’t bad either.
But this performance was another reminder, for the most part in many seasons, that Arsenal’s true strength lies in their collective strength.
