Arsenal secured an important 3-2 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge within the first leg of their League Cup semi-final, however the match resulted in a bitter word as tensions boiled over between key gamers on the ultimate whistle.
The ultimate whistle triggered a sudden confrontation within the heart of the pitch between Arsenal’s match winner Martin Zubimendi and Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandez.
Enzo Fernandes and Martin Zubimendi concerned in post-match altercation
The 2 midfielders, who had been locked in a tactical battle all night, had been seen in a fiery trade of phrases that rapidly escalated right into a bodily standoff.
Footage reveals that Fernandez appeared notably aggrieved, having to be held again by Chelsea supervisor Liam Rosenior as he tried to confront the Spanish worldwide.
Whereas the precise set off for the spat stays unclear, the depth of the match which noticed a number of bookings and accusations of timewasting, clearly left a lingering bitterness.
Liam Rosenior within the thick of it as Enzo Fernandez squares as much as Martin Zubimendi! ? pic.twitter.com/yJn3lDHHjK
— Sky Sports activities Soccer (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
Zubimendi, whose 71st-minute strike proved to be the successful aim, finally walked away along with his teammates, however the incident has added a layer of non-public rivalry to the upcoming second leg on the Emirates.
Chelsea have an opportunity within the tie because of Garnacho’s double
Regardless of the defeat and the post-match altercation, Chelsea stay firmly within the contest because of an impressed second-half cameo from Alejandro Garnacho.
With Arsenal seemingly cruising after targets from Ben White and Viktor Gyökeres, Rosenior turned to the younger winger to salvage a outcome from his first dwelling sport in cost.
Garnacho responded with scientific effectivity, scoring twice to maintain the Blues’ Wembley desires alive.
His first got here within the 57th minute after a wise cross from Pedro Neto, and his second adopted within the 83rd minute, half volleying a unfastened ball within the field to make it 3-2.
Though Zubimendi’s aim had briefly restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion, Garnacho’s brace ensures that Chelsea solely want a one-goal victory in North London to drive the tie into additional time.
