In the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, Arsenal achieved an important 3-2 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but the match ended on a bitter note as tensions rose among the main players at the final whistle.
As the final whistle blew, Arsenal’s match winner Martin Zvimendi and Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandes suddenly faced off in the center of the pitch.
Enzo Fernandes and Martin Zvimendi were involved in an altercation after the match
The two midfielders, who were involved in a tactical battle throughout the evening, were witnessed in a heated exchange of words, which quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
Footage showed Fernandes looking particularly irate after being stopped by Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior as he attempted to confront the Spain international.
The exact trigger of the altercation remains unclear, but the intensity of the match, which included several bookings and accusations of wasting time, clearly left a bitter taste.
Zvimendi, whose 71st-minute shot was the winning goal, was ultimately sent off along with his team-mates, but the incident added to the personal rivalry in the upcoming second leg at the Emirates.
Garnacho’s double gives Chelsea a chance to tie the score.
Despite the defeat and post-match altercation, Chelsea remain firmly in contention thanks to a second-half cameo from Alejandro Garnacho.
With Arsenal looking well on their way to chasing goals from Ben White and Victor Gokeres, Rosenior has turned to his young winger to make a mark in his first home game as manager.
Garnacho responded with clinical efficiency and scored twice to keep the Blues’ Wembley dreams alive.
The first goal came in the 57th minute after receiving a clever cross from Pedro Neto, and the second goal came in the 83rd minute when he half-volleyed a loose ball inside the box to make it 3-2.
Zvimendi’s goal briefly restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion, but Garnacho’s work ensured Chelsea only needed a one-point win in north London to force extra-time.
