Arsenal vs Chelsea: Robert Sanchez’s Blunder and Kai Havertz Faces Fan Backlash

Bornheimer – On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Kai Havertz became the target of intense boos at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea lost 2-3 to Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals, and Havertz’s return to the pitch didn’t sit well with the home crowd. The German midfielder, who came on as a substitute late in the match, received harsh jeers every time he touched the ball, turning the atmosphere hostile.

A Thrilling and Dramatic Match

The match itself was packed with drama, featuring five goals. Robert Sanchez’s costly mistakes and Martin Zubimendi’s game-winning goal were the key moments. Arsenal’s victory puts them in a strong position for the second leg, while Chelsea now faces a tough challenge to reach Wembley.

Havertz’s Return Sparks Anger

Havertz, fresh from recovering from a knee injury, made a brief appearance in the game. Despite his limited time on the field, Chelsea fans greeted him with nothing but anger. According to BBC Sport, the hostility from the fans was clear when Havertz entered the game. “The former Chelsea player was booed every time he touched the ball,” BBC Sport reported. The crowd’s reaction came after Arsenal made a substitution following Pedro Neto’s yellow card.

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Sanchez’s Fatal Errors

Although Chelsea showed some promise under manager Liam Rosenior, Robert Sanchez’s poor performance ruined their chances. The Spanish goalkeeper made two major mistakes that led to goals for Arsenal. He had recently returned to the starting lineup, but his errors were costly. First, he failed to clear a corner kick from Ben White. Later, Sanchez couldn’t collect a low cross that resulted in a goal from Viktor Gyokeres.

Garnacho’s Effort and Zubimendi’s Decisive Goal

Alejandro Garnacho, coming off the bench, scored two goals for Chelsea, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. However, Martin Zubimendi’s late goal sealed the win for Arsenal, ensuring the visitors left Stamford Bridge with a well-deserved lead ahead of the second leg.

Havertz’s Improved Form at Arsenal

Kai Havertz’s move to Arsenal in the summer of 2023 has proven to be a successful one. His stats with Arsenal have improved dramatically compared to his time at Chelsea. At Chelsea, Havertz was involved in 48 goals over 139 matches. He scored just 32 goals. However, with Arsenal, Havertz has been more productive, registering 42 goals and assists in only 91 appearances.

Havertz had called his move to Arsenal “the best thing I could do,” as he told Sky Sports. This statement likely still resonates with Chelsea fans, which could explain the hostility directed toward him during the match.