Alejandro Garnacho struck a confident tone after his impactful display off the bench, insisting the Blues remain firmly in contention despite a narrow first-leg setback in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The winger’s sharp contribution, which took his competition tally to four goals, ensured the tie stays finely balanced as attention now shifts to the decisive return at the Emirates Stadium.
Introduced during the contest, Garnacho made his presence felt immediately, underlining the importance of squad depth in high-stakes knockout football.
His goals narrowed the gap and injected momentum at a crucial stage, even if the final outcome fell just short on the night.
“I always try to do my best, and today I helped with goals off the bench,” the winger opened, speaking after the contest where he took his Carabao Cup goals tally to four.
“Every attacker wants to score goals, but my job is to try and help the team. I tried today, and it wasn’t enough, but it’s not over yet. The game is open, there’s just one goal difference.
“We know how hard it is to play at the Emirates, but we know the team we have, and we know what we can do. We have to go there and give everything.”
While frustration lingered at not coming away with a stronger result, Garnacho highlighted the collective response, especially after a slow opening period.
The winger stressed that impact is not limited to the starting XI, a mindset that reflects the unity within the squad as they prepare for the second leg.
“Sometimes you play from the start, and other times you don’t,” he continued. “The players on the bench are just as important as the players in the first XI, and I just tried to do my best. I think we are still in it, and we will try everything. I’m here to try and do my best.
“We always try to win the games, and it’s frustrating when you don’t win the game. We started a little bit slowly, but in the second half we were much better. We now have to try everything in the second leg.”
Beyond his on-field influence, Garnacho also offered insight into the early days under new head coach Liam Rosenior, whose arrival has brought subtle changes without disrupting the group’s core identity.
“He’s a good guy,” he added. “He’s changed some things, but we are still the same team and the same group. We are all together.”
With belief restored and the margin reduced to a single goal, the Blues head into the return leg knowing the contest is still wide open.
For Garnacho and his teammates, the message is clear: regroup, refocus, and leave everything on the pitch in North London.
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