As it stands, we're heading for a Manchester City-Arsenal showdown at Wembley on 22 March.

But it's only 'half-time' - and there's still time for lots of twists and turns.

• 3 February: Arsenal v Chelsea (3-2 after first leg)
• 4 February: Man City v Newcastle (2-0 after first leg)

Thanks for your company tonight. That was great fun. Catch you soon.

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Image source, Reuters

Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to beIN Sports: "It's half-time [in the tie]. We played against a really good side at a really difficult place. I'm very proud of what the team has done.

"You want to start to play semi-finals and all the work you've done throughout the season to get to these stages to deliver on the day and we've certainly done that.

"What we're doing every three days is impressive."

On having more options up front now Kai Havertz is back: "It raises the level and we need them. They're going to be so important. There's going to be minutes for everybody with the amount of games we have, so happy to have them."

Mark: Can't see Chelsea winning by two clear goals at the Emirates. So they will have to go to penalties. They can only win if they keep 11 players on the pitch which they tried very hard NOT to do tonight.

Chelsea

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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to beIN Sports: "It's half-time [in the tie]. I was very happy with the engagement, the commitment of the players. They gave everything. It was every open game. Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment.

"We switched off from a restart from a central free kick but I can't fault the players. We've had illness in the squad, we've picked up a few knocks this week but what the squad has shown that they are willing to run and fight for each other."

On Robert Sanchez's performance: "Rob's a very good goalkeeper. He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie, so for me load of things to improve but the overall attitude of the team I liked. Hopefully, we get a few bodies back for Brentford on Saturday."

On Alejandro Garnacho coming off the bench to score twice: "I said he would be important off the bench and he proved that today. I've got an outstanding squad. What I need them to do is be engaged whether they start the game or whether they come off the bench. Garna showed his quality. I think Pedro Neto was magnificent. Estevao was outstanding as well.

"We need to make sure i we perform well individually we don't concede as many goals."

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Ju: Poor goals to concede from Arsenal's point of view I feel. Alejandro Garnacho unmarked at the back post on both occasions. Still expect them to go through.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Stamford Bridge

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It was a good night for Viktor Gyokeres, who scored a goal from open play for the first time in 16 games and provided an assist for Martin Zubimendi's goal.

Mikel Arteta will hope that it is the confidence boost his forward needs.

The Carabao Cup is not Arteta's or Arsenal's main objective this season but getting in a position to win a trophy relatively early would be a huge boost as they try to win the Premier League or Champions League.

Arteta said before the game that an EFL Cup triumph would give his team "a nudge" and "a sense that the objective is really close and that is a massive motivation for everybody".

There's still another leg to go in this tie.

But this was the first individual semi-final match that Arsenal have won in nine attempts and marks another step in the progression they have made this season.

Image source, Reuters

No danger: At least the new Chelsea manager had it confirmed tonight that the rebuilding begins with the goalkeeping position. Two errors, two goals. It cannot go on like this.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Stamford Bridge

This entertaining victory really highlighted the quality that Mikel Arteta has at his disposal.

The Arsenal manager was able to make eight changes for this game, and bring in his strongest XI, after making 10 changes for Sunday's FA Cup third-round win at Portsmouth.

One of those players who stayed in the side was Ben White, and he started in a back four of Saliba, Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber.

That backline provided an imposing threat from set-pieces and White's opener was the 24th goal Arsenal have scored from a set-piece in all competitions this season, the most by any club in Europe's top five leagues.

Taxi for Ozil: We should be home & hosed but we’ve left the door slightly ajar! Second leg is now more tricky than it needed to be. Still fancy us though!

Matt Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stamford Bridge

I think Liam Rosenior will enjoy the fact that they came back. There was a couple of times in the game where Arsenal could've run away with it.

And I think that's partly down to them sticking at it, in fairness to them. Partly down the the fact that Arsenal haven't come away with here with a little bit more.

That's a big positive. I'm looking at the team and I think there was only three players in the Chelsea team that didn't change position throughout the 90 minutes. He's had a real shuffle about with nearly everyone bar Andrey Santos, Enzo Fernandez and Estevao, the goalkeeper as well.

With that in mind, they've actually done alright. They've had a bit of grit and dug in.

Kentzimbo88: Some of those challenges on Saka this evening were atrocious.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

Arsenal defender Ben White, speaking to Sky Sports: "We didn't play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure. That's how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It's a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win."

On scoring: "I was free and managed to get into space."

On his assist for Viktor Gyokeres: "I knew he was going to be waiting for the ball across. I didn't really look, to be fair, I was just firing it across."

The Spin Doctor: Just can’t see Chelsea turning this around in the away leg. Arsenal all but in the final.

Arsenal

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Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it was a tough game. We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they have counter-attacks, but I think we defended well. Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that."

On Ben White's assist: "It's not his first assist for me. I knew he was trying to find me and he did, so it was nice."

On scoring tonight: "That's what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going.

"It's still a second leg but of course it's good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg, but we still have to do a good performance in the second match."

Spectrum: Credit to Chelsea. Stuck in there without Colen Palmer, Liam Delap, Reece James and Moises Caicedo. Still firmly in this tie and its finely poised. For Arsenal, got the win which is most important. Nice for Gyokeres to get a goal and assist. Still unbeaten at the Emirates this season in all competitions so that bodes well for the 2nd leg. It'll be a great game for sure.

"That's what I need to do and I can do it more often."

Viktor Gyokeres on scoring tonight.

Full quotes coming up.

TorontoGooner: Zubimendi has made such a difference to our team plus we have the bench depth that we have been pleading for.

John Murray
BBC football correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will have to go and win at the Emirates and no visiting team has done that so far this season.

Arsenal

Ben White is talking to TV about the disappointment of conceding two goals. Arsenal have set high standards all season. They've taken a significant step towards making the final but they don't like conceding.

Full quotes to follow.