Arsenal advanced to the Carabao Cup semifinals after a dramatic quarter‑final clash with Crystal Palace in the London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
The match finished 1‑1 in normal time before heading to a penalty shootout, where Arsenal prevailed 8‑7 to secure their place in the last four of the competition.
Maxence Lacroix headlined the game scoring an own goal in the 79th minute.
He went on to lose the 16th penalty which the Spaniard, Kepa Arrizabalaga saved to give Arsenal the push.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi scored a late equaliser in stoppage time to force the shootout after Arsenal had taken the lead earlier in the contest.
The tie was also marked by a serious injury for Palace defender Chris Richards, who was stretchered off with a bleeding foot in the second half, forcing an early reshuffle for the visitors.
Despite Palace’s grit and late goal, Arsenal held their nerve in the penalty shootout to book a semifinal showdown, keeping alive their bid for silverware in the EFL Cup.
The tie saw Maxence Lacroix inadvertently put Palace behind in the 79th minute when he “stabbed the ball into his own net” under pressure from William Saliba, following a pinpoint corner from Bukayo Saka.
The own goal appeared to secure the win for Arsenal in normal time.
However, Palace refused to go quietly. Deep into stoppage time, Marc Guéhi “stole in at close range to tuck the ball past Arrizabalaga after Lerma had headed down a deep free-kick,” forcing a nerve-wracking shootout.
The penalty drama saw both sides trading successful spot-kicks until Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Lacroix’s effort to clinch victory.
Arsenal’s post-match report noted, “Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Maxence Lacroix’s penalty at the end of an epic shootout to send us through to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.”
Arsenal dominated the early exchanges. Gabriel Jesus had a chance before the opener, while Noni Madueke, Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber were all heavily involved in creating opportunities.
The report highlighted Martinelli’s impact, saying, “Martinelli had created five chances in a fine first half, but ended it hobbling, after a clash of knees.”
After the interval, Palace grew into the game, forcing Kepa into several saves, including from Jefferson Lerma’s long throw. Mikel Arteta made tactical changes, introducing Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, with Ødegaard delivering a cross that Jesus narrowly missed with a header.
The penalty shootout sequence was intense. Arsenal scorers included Ødegaard, Declan Rice, Saka, Trossard, Merino, Calafiori, Timber, and Saliba, before Kepa’s decisive save sealed the win.
The report summarised: “It was enough to send us through to the League Cup semi-final for the 18th time in our history.”
Arsenal will now face Chelsea over two legs in the semi-final, with the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the week beginning January 12 and the return at the Emirates on February 3 or 4.
Before that, Arsenal hosts Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27 and Aston Villa on December 30 in their final Premier League fixtures of 2025. (Punch)
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