Wednesday’s briefing: Arsenal reach a final as Pep Guardiola makes money point

Arsenal are back at Wembley for the first time since 2020 after beating Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup final.

Their opponents will be decided on Wednesday, with Manchester City holding a 2-0 lead over Newcastle from the first leg.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe insisted ahead of the tie that Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali is committed to the Magpies, despite being linked with Arsenal during Monday’s transfer deadline day.

Arteta delight at Arsenal’s Wembley return

Arsenal edged one step closer to ending their trophy drought by beating Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Kai Havertz scored the winner deep in stoppage time as Chelsea, 3-2 behind from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, failed to land a glove on the Premier League leaders.

Former Chelsea player Havertz made sure of Arsenal’s progression to next month’s showpiece at Wembley – their first final since they won the FA Cup in 2020 – by rounding goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and scoring with the last kick of the game.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “It’s the best vitamins we can put in our bodies.

“The fact that we worked so hard to achieve this moment and to have this moment together, it’s just magical. You can see the joy, the smiles, the energy in the dressing room.”

‘Grumpy’ Guardiola jokes about Man City spend

Pep Guardiola has defended Manchester City against claims the club’s success is down to money.

City spent £82.5m to bolster their squad in the January transfer window with the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, continuing a squad overhaul that began last year.

But in terms of net spend, that took City’s outlay over the past five years to £396million, behind Manchester United (£675m), Arsenal (£663m), Chelsea (£651m), Tottenham (£574m), Newcastle (£424m) and Liverpool (£420m), according to figures from Transfermarkt.

“I’m a little bit sad and upset because in net spend the last five years we are seventh in the Premier League,” Guardiola said somewhat sarcastically ahead of City’s Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle.

“I want to be the first, I don’t understand why the club don’t spend more money! I am a little bit grumpy with them!”

Howe confident over Tonali future

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe does not fear a repeat of the Alexander Isak transfer saga after holding deadline-day talks with Sandro Tonali.

Magpies head coach Howe spoke to the 25-year-old Italy international on Monday amid reports the midfielder had been “offered” to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Newcastle insisted privately there had been no contact with the Gunners and, having spent last summer trying to keep Isak before reluctantly accepting a £130m offer from Liverpool, they do not want to countenance a repeat over Tonali.

Asked if he was concerned this was the start of a campaign to unsettle Tonali, Howe said: “I don’t think so, but lots of things happen without my knowledge.

“As far as I’m aware, we’ve got a player that’s an outstanding footballer, an outstanding person. He’s very happy here, he’s got a great relationship with me, his team-mates, he seems really, really happy within himself, so that would surprise me.”

Hearts see red again as title hopes dented

Hearts suffered more red card despair on what may prove a costly night for their William Hill Premiership title aspirations.

Craig Halkett was dismissed in the 29th minute for denying St Mirren debutant Jacob Devaney a goalscoring opportunity – the third time in five league games the Jambos had been reduced to 10 men.

Unlike the previous two occasions, however, they were unable to grind out a result as Miguel Freckleton’s 88th-minute header consigned them to a 1-0 defeat.

What’s on today?

Manchester City are strong favourites to book a Carabao Cup final date, holding a 2-0 lead against Newcastle from the semi-final first leg on Tyneside.

It is a busy night in the William Hill Premiership with five games and Celtic and Rangers both in action.

Celtic travel to Aberdeen and Rangers host Kilmarnock as the Glasgow giants try to close the gap on leaders Hearts to just three points.