It was a night of Blue frustration and Red delight at Stamford Bridge as Arsenal drew first blood in the Carabao Cup semi-final, edging Chelsea 1-0 in a tense first-leg affair. But while Ben White’s 7th-minute header proved the difference, the match has been overshadowed by a furious debate over VAR consistency that has left Mauricio Pochettino’s men seething.

The defining moment arrived early. Declan Rice, whose delivery has become a weapon of mass destruction for the Gunners this season, whipped in a corner that found an unmarked Ben White. The defender nodded it home with clinical precision. However, replays immediately showed Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres standing in an offside position, seemingly blocking Chelsea’s Marc Guiu from clearing the danger.

The VAR Verdict

To the naked eye, it looked like a textbook case of interferenceYet, after a rapid check, VAR official Jarred Gillett allowed the goal to stand. The decision hinged on the subjective interpretation of "impact." Unlike the disallowed Manchester City goal a night prior—where Erling Haaland was judged to have physically impeded a defender—the officials ruled that Gyokeres, despite his position, did not actively prevent Guiu from playing the ball.

"It’s a game of inches and interpretations," noted Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. "Gyokeres is there, yes, but is he stopping Guiu?The VAR says no. It’s harsh on Chelsea, but it’s the law." The inconsistency, however, is what grates. Just 24 hours earlier, Manchester City saw a nearly identical goal chalked off against Newcastle, leaving fans across the globe scratching their heads.

• The Tactical Edge: Controversy aside, Arsenal’s set-piece dominance is becoming their hallmark. Mikel Arteta’s side has now scored more goals from corners than any other Premier League team this season, a testament to the work of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.
• Chelsea’s Woes: For Chelsea, the result is a bitter pill. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, their profligacy in front of goal continues to haunt them. Robert Sanchez’s initial error in conceding the corner will also be scrutinized, adding to the pressure on the Blues' number one.

Advantage Arsenal

The win gives Arsenal a slender but crucial advantage heading into the second leg at the Emirates. In a competition often derided as secondary, the intensity of the London derby proved that silverware is still the ultimate currency. For Ben White, the goal was a moment of personal redemption; for Chelsea, it was another chapter in a season defined by "what ifs."

As the debate rages on social media, one fact remains immutable in the history books: Arsenal 1, Chelsea 0. The Gunners are now just 90 minutes away from Wembley, and on this form, few would bet against them.