Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal result - Alejandro Garnacho at the double but The Gunners edge five-goal thriller to claim Carabao Cup semi-final advantage

Arsenal held off a spirited Chelsea fightback to win 3-2 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, inflicting defeat on Liam Rosenior in his first home game in charge of The Blues.

Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to score twice for Chelsea and lift Stamford Bridge, but the efficient Arsenal survived the hosts' response, holding onto their one-goal advantage ahead of next month's rematch.

It looked like it was going to be one-way traffic when Arsenal exploited not one but two mistakes from Chelsea's Robert Sanchez.

Ben White took eight minutes to score the opening goal, heading in from a Declan Rice corner after Sanchez missed his punch.

Viktor Gyokeres then opened his 2026 account, poking home from close range when White's low cross slipped through Sanchez's fingers for a second blunder of the night.

But then Rosenior called upon Garnacho, and the former Manchester United winger made a rapid impact. Garnacho composed himself to control a Pedro Neto cross and drilled the ball into the net for 2-1 just five minutes after he entered the field.

Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal's two-goal advantage with a clinical finish into the left corner. But Garnacho was not done as he netted his second of the night late on - a collector's item as Arsenal conceded from a set piece - to set up a grandstand finish.

Chelsea were not able to find a dramatic equaliser in second-half stoppage-time, but their determination to reduce the deficit - aided by Rosenior's bold substitutions - has set up an exciting second leg at the Emirates.

The Gunners' opening goalscorer Ben White was not pleased with how he and his side allowed Chelsea to get back into the game, conceding twice from crosses.

On inviting Chelsea back into the tie, Arsenal defender Ben White told Sky Sports: "We did it to ourselves, we let them put more pressure on us and that's how we conceded the goals.

"We weren't at our standards in the second half so we're a bit disappointed with ourselves, but it's a win."

On Gyokeres assist: "I knew he was going to be waiting for the ball across, so I didn't really look."

Those disappointed that tonight’s game is over needn’t worry as it’s not long until Arsenal are back in action…

The Gunners will begin the weekend with a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table but face a tricky test against Sean Dyche’s side, who are determined to build on their pivotal 2-1 victory at fellow relegation battlers West Ham.

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+.

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Both sets of players were involved in a brawl after referee Simon Hooper blew his final whistle, carrying over the passion from an already heated affair.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior had to intervene on the field as Enzo Fernandez squared up to Martin Zubimendi.

There may not be time for another goal, but there is for an eighth yellow as Timber is reprimanded for a poor challenge on Andrey Santos.

Gabriel Jesus is tripped in the box by a terribly-timed Jorrel Hato challenge, but Chelsea's Dutch defender is relieved by the linesman's flag.

Had Jesus been onside, that definitely would have been a penalty.

While Chelsea are dilly-dallying and passing around their own goalmouth, the home fans are gesturing for Rob Sanchez to launch the ball forward.

You can't blame them.

The fourth official indicates five minutes of stoppage time. There's still time for another goal!

If I'm counting right, Pedro Neto is the seventh player to receive a yellow card tonight.

The Chelsea winger is punished for dissent. That's rather characteristic of the home side. Rosenior needs to stamp it out.

Chelsea's late substitute has a golden opportunity to level the scoring.

Tosin meets Neto's corner but gets his header all wrong, getting under the ball and directing it over the bar.

He was only a yard out!

Wow, that had quite some power.

Estevao cuts inside and unleashes a brilliant strike to force a stinging save from Kepa.

It wouldn't have counted as he was narrowly offside, but that was a great hit.

He's done it again! Chelsea are back in it, against the odds!

Garnacho nets his second of the night to make it 3-2, striking first time on the half-volley after Gabriel scuffed his headed clearance from a Pedro Neto corner.

It's rare that Arsenal concede from a set piece but they've been outdone there.

It's Arsenal's turn to make two changes as scorers Rice and Gyokeres are replaced by former Chelsea man Kai Havertz and Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus.

Rosenior, desperate to get at least one back, makes two more substitutions.

OFF: Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro.

ON: Tosin Adarabioyo, Shim Mhueka.

Ouch! That's a nasty challenge on Joao Pedro from Merino, who takes one for the team by stopping a Chelsea counter-attack with a brutal slide from behind.

Sanchez makes an important stop to deny Merino, who struck the ball beautifully on the volley after Saka's shot was deflected and looped up into the air.

Gabriel then goes close from the resultant corner, heading into the ground and over the bar.

Arsenal want to put this tie to bed.

Arsenal's goalkeeper is booked for time-wasting, but he won't mind one bit.

Arsenal restore their two-goal lead!

Martin Zubimendi comes up trumps to score a pivotal goal for the visitors, jinking past Wesley Fofana and curling with pinpoint accuracy into the left corner.

Gyokeres claims the assist for some lovely hold-up play in the area and a well-executed pass to the scorer.

Arsenal are jubilant. Chelsea, meanwhile, are deflated.

Trossard and Odegaard's involvements are over.

Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino skip on in their places.