Arsenal secured a dramatic passage to the League Cup semi-finals, overcoming Crystal Palace 4-2 on penalties after the match concluded 1-1 in regular time. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as the undisputed hero of the night, making a decisive save in the shootout to send the Gunners into their third semi-final appearance in five seasons. The hard-fought victory at the Emirates Stadium underscored Arsenal’s resilience and their ability to navigate a challenging fixture, despite a performance that saw them squander numerous scoring opportunities throughout the ninety minutes.
The intense quarter-final clash saw Arsenal dominate large periods of possession and create significant chances, particularly in the opening half, but their inability to convert these into goals kept Crystal Palace firmly in contention. A second-half own goal by Palace defender Maxence Lacroix eventually broke the deadlock, giving the home side a deserved lead. However, the Eagles, demonstrating commendable tenacity and defensive organisation, found a late equalizer through Marc Guehi, forcing the tie into the tension of a penalty shootout where Arsenal ultimately prevailed with clinical precision from the spot.
From the opening whistle, Arsenal asserted their control, dictating the tempo and pressing high to win back possession. The Gunners generated a string of clear-cut chances that could have seen them comfortably ahead before the interval. Forwards Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus, alongside returning defender Jurrien Timber, all had golden opportunities to open the scoring but were repeatedly denied. Madueke’s early effort after winning the ball high up the pitch and Jesus’s powerful header, which forced a low save, highlighted Arsenal’s offensive threat. However, their finishing lacked the clinical edge required, with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez delivering an inspired performance, making several crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.
As the second half unfolded, Arsenal continued to apply relentless pressure, their attacking forays testing Palace’s defensive resolve. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute, albeit through an unfortunate deflection for the visitors. Following a well-delivered corner kick from substitute Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori’s header caused significant chaos in the crowded Palace penalty area. The ball ultimately ricocheted off defender Maxence Lacroix and into his own net, an unlucky moment for the centre-back that gifted Arsenal a lead their sustained pressure and numerous attempts on goal arguably merited.
Despite falling behind in the latter stages, Crystal Palace refused to capitulate and mounted a spirited comeback in the dying minutes of regulation time. Their persistence paid off dramatically in the 95th minute. A towering header from Jefferson Lerma following a free-kick created the initial opportunity, setting up Marc Guehi for a close-range tap-in that stunned the home crowd. Guehi’s late strike, occurring deep into stoppage time, dramatically leveled the score at 1-1, ensuring the match would be decided by the lottery of a penalty shootout and adding a layer of intense drama to the evening’s proceedings.
With the scores locked, the teams proceeded to the spot, where the pressure intensified. Both sides demonstrated composure from the penalty mark in the initial rounds, converting their efforts successfully. However, it was Kepa Arrizabalaga who ultimately made the decisive difference for Arsenal. The Spanish goalkeeper produced a crucial, diving save from Maxence Lacroix’s penalty attempt, preventing the defender from making amends for his earlier own goal and shifting momentum decisively in Arsenal’s favour. This critical intervention secured Arsenal’s 4-2 victory in the shootout, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Gunners faithful and their bench.
Beyond the shootout heroics, several Arsenal players delivered notable performances throughout the 120 minutes. William Saliba showcased his defensive prowess with critical, well-timed tackles that thwarted dangerous Palace attacks, maintaining a solid foundation at the back. Riccardo Calafiori’s adventurous runs from defence and his involvement in the own goal sequence highlighted his offensive impact. The introduction of substitutes also proved pivotal; Bukayo Saka’s precise corner directly led to the opening goal, and Martin Odegaard’s arrival injected much-needed creativity and control into the midfield, demonstrating the depth and tactical flexibility available to manager Mikel Arteta.
While the victory was secured, the match also highlighted areas for Arsenal’s improvement, particularly in converting dominant possession and numerous chances into goals during open play. The team’s reliance on a late own goal and a penalty shootout for progression underscores the need for greater clinical finishing in upcoming fixtures. Nevertheless, reaching the League Cup semi-finals provides a significant boost to the squad’s morale and offers another avenue for silverware this season, as they continue their campaign across multiple competitions.
