Arsenal drew heavy criticism online after a clip from their Carabao Cup semi‑final against Chelsea showed Gunners players wasting time by the corner flag as early as the 52nd minute of the game. That came with Arsenal leading on aggregate and little urgency to attack.
The video quickly went viral because it showed Arsenal shielding the ball near the touchline in the second half, seemingly more focused on preserving their advantage than pushing forward.
This happened in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi‑final at the Emirates, where Arsenal held a slim overall lead. With the tie balanced and both sides struggling for clear chances, the Gunners’ decision to slow the pace raised eyebrows.
Fans shared the clip widely on social media, with many mocking Arsenal’s tactics and dubbing the scene a classic example of time‑running rather than footballing intent. Some supporters pointed out the oddity of seeing players hanging around the corner flag so early in the second half.
Critics argued this undermined the spirit of a semi‑final, especially against a rival like Chelsea, who were left defending and trying to find a way back into the game. Arsenal eventually won the match and advanced, sealing their place in the final.
Chelsea were limited in attack, and their inability to turn possession into real chances added to frustration among fans and pundits.
The clip of Arsenal time‑wasting has now become one of the most talked‑about highlights from the tie, sparking debate about gamesmanship vs pure competition in modern football.
By FootBalleague