Some may say it's only the League Cup and, although there is some truth in that, it doesn't stop our 2-1 aggregate semi-final win over Chelsea feeling very sweet!
I can't deny I will always prefer the FA Cup and it still hurts that we got eliminated in round three by Nottingham Forest, but the Carabao Cup presents a great chance of silverware and must be taken very seriously.
We will be huge underdogs against Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece, but there's always a chance and you just never know on the day. At times the semi-final looked like it was going to go against us, but we upped our game in the second half.
Facing Chelsea is always difficult whether it is a league game, in the cup, or a friendly. Any game against Chelsea means something and both sides always want to get one over on each other, so I'm delighted we got the bragging rights this time thanks to an own goal and Granit Xhaka's winner.
Nacho Monreal put in another solid performance and had a key role in the equaliser, while Alexandre Lacazette was one of the players to impress me the most in this cup clash. The French striker didn't get a goal, but he put in strong physical performance and never gave up as he continually tried to battle for the ball.
The teams went into the game with the tie level after a goalless first leg and Chelsea started brightly, opening the scoring through Eden Hazard after just seven minutes. Pedro had already seen his headed effort ruled out for offside before setting up Hazard to calmly shoot past David Ospina in a one-on-one.
Arsenal tried to hit back with Jack Wilshere forcing a low save from Willy Caballero in the Chelsea goal, but the Gunners didn't have to wait too long to equalise following a lucky own goal after 12 minutes. Monreal's header deflected in a pinball like fashion off both Marcos Alonso and Antonio Rudiger before hitting the back of the net.
Willian dragged a shot wide for the visitors before being forced off through injury on the half hour mark, with former Everton midfielder Ross Barkley coming on in his place.
The hosts wasted chances to take the lead before the break, with Xhaka's free-kick being tipped over the crossbar by Caballero before Mesut Ozil's shot on the turn deflected just wide.
There was a slice of good fortune about Arsenal's winner on the hour mark, but they all count and I was delighted to see Xhaka's effort hit the back of the net. Lacazette did well to work space down the wing before his cross deflected off the leg of Rudiger for Xhaka to score from close range.
Arsenal really should have put the result beyond doubt 15 minutes from time and, although Alex Iwobi could have done better, I think Caballero deserves a lot of credit for a decent save. To be fair to Iwobi he seemed to be working harder to get the ball and I thought his performance was improved compared to other recent games. But when he latched onto a pass from Ozil and found himself unmarked, his first-time shot was saved by the legs of Caballero.
Alonso flashed the ball across the face of goal, while Monreal cleared the danger from a loose ball at the far post as Arsenal hung on to their lead.
I expected more late drama considering the calibre of the opposition, but Alonso couldn't keep his late free-kick down and we showed more physicality in the second-half to clinch the win. Chelsea had probably bossed the first half, but we started to come into our own in the second and now on we march on to the Wembley final.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Chelsea fan John Feeney believes his side are lacking creativity and lost to the better team on the night at the Emirates.
"Chelsea started the brighter of the two teams and fully deserved their early lead through Hazard," said Feeney. "Although both of Arsenal's goals were quite fortunate due to the deflections, they were the better team for most of the game and had quite a few chances, which forced good saves from Caballero.
"I thought Wilshere was impressive for Arsenal and they managed to control Chelsea quite easily after Willian was forced off injured - hitting long balls towards Hazard and Pedro was a clear sign that this team is lacking creativity at the moment and could do with a change away from the five at the back."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no doubting that Manchester City are firm favourites for the final and we'll have to face Pep Guardiola's men twice in a week with the league game looming soon after.
It is great to have a cup final to look forward to despite the fact it is in a so-called "lesser" competition, but I am delighted that we have the chance of silverware to at least give us something to cheer about in what has been a frustrating season.
We don't have a game at the weekend so have a bit longer to prepare for our next one - a trip to Swansea. This match could see new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan make his debut for the club after he joined in a swap deal, which saw Alexis Sanchez move to Manchester United.
Yes, Manchester United got the better deal and I am gutted to see Sanchez go, but Mkhitaryan could yet be a good fit and I don't want to pass much judgement on him until he's at least played a few games for us.
Whatever happens for the rest of the season and yes, I know there will be more frustration to come, let's at least pause for a minute and say...We are going to Wembley!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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