Could Arsenal’s season lead to a historic quadruple?

February 5, 2026 Oliver Obel

Arsenal’s season has reached a point where progress is no longer measured by promise alone. With the Premier League title race intensifying and knockout football underway in Europe, the club’s place in the Carabao Cup final offers something tangible: a chance to convert momentum into silverware.

Their 4–2 aggregate win over Chelsea did more than secure a Wembley date. It removed a lingering psychological barrier that had followed Mikel Arteta’s side for years.

A semi-final hurdle finally cleared

According to BBC Sport, Arsenal had exited four consecutive semi-finals since winning the FA Cup in 2020, failing even to win a single leg during that period. That sequence ended on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, where a controlled if unspectacular second leg was enough to see them through.

The match itself was low on chances, with both sides registering only two shots on target. Arsenal, however, rarely appeared unsettled. Kai Havertz’s late goal ensured there would be no late drama and confirmed a ninth appearance in a League Cup final.

They will face either Manchester City or Newcastle at Wembley on 22 March.

Arteta’s long build begins to show returns

Arteta framed the moment as the product of patience rather than a sudden breakthrough. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said the atmosphere inside the stadium reflected how much the occasion meant to players and supporters alike.

“There was a special atmosphere inside our stadium. It makes such a difference,” he said. “We've been waiting a few years to get into this position and we're certainly going to enjoy it.”

While Arsenal’s broader ambitions stretch beyond domestic cups, reaching another final underlines how far the team has evolved since Arteta’s early rebuilding years.

From nearly men to contenders?

Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson believes the significance lies less in the performance and more in what it represents. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that the club’s rise has been deliberate, crediting Arteta with creating a stronger collective identity and culture.

That context matters. Arsenal’s recent seasons have featured title challenges and deep runs, but without trophies to validate them. Ending their semi-final drought removes a talking point that has increasingly been used to question whether this group could deliver when it mattered most.

Midfielder Declan Rice acknowledged that frustration, saying the team had “got really close but haven't been good enough” in recent years — a gap they are now determined to close.

Momentum at a crucial stage of the season

Arsenal remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League and are still competing on multiple fronts. Defender William Saliba said the squad believes it has both the depth and leadership to challenge across competitions.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp, speaking to Sky Sports, suggested the timing of this breakthrough could be important. He said the result might allow Arsenal to play with greater freedom during the decisive months ahead.

Whether this cup run leads to further trophies remains uncertain. But with one final secured and others still within reach, Arsenal have given themselves the opportunity to reshape the narrative around Arteta’s reign — not as one defined by potential, but by delivery.

Sources: BBC Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports