Arsenal carried a slender advantage out of Stamford Bridge after a frantic 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Chelsea, with goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi giving them control before Alejandro Garnacho's two-goal cameo dragged the hosts back into the tie.
The Gunners now take their lead into the second leg at the Emirates on Tuesday 3 February, where Liam Rosenior's Chelsea must overturn a one-goal deficit if they are to reach Wembley to face either Newcastle or Manchester City. Mikel Arteta's side, unbeaten in 10 matches, have edged closer to a rare piece of silverware under his stewardship.
White Heads Arsenal in Front from Another Set-Piece
Arsenal needed only seven minutes to take the lead and, as so often this season, it came from a corner. Declan Rice's delivery dropped into the area of maximum discomfort and Robert Sanchez, boxed in by Marc Cucurella, could only stretch up a vain arm as Ben White headed in from close range. A brief VAR check for offside, with Gyokeres potentially interfering on the line, was cleared within seconds.