Arsenal triumph in penalty shootout against Crystal Palace
Arsenal secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after an extraordinary penalty shootout triumph over Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Tuesday evening, reports BritPanorama.
The Gunners prevailed 8-7 in a nerve-shredding contest from the spot, with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga diving low to his right to deny Maxence Lacroix’s decisive effort. The situation proved a cruel twist for Lacroix, who had earlier put through his own net to give Arsenal the lead in normal time.
Mikel Arteta’s side will now meet London rivals Chelsea in next month’s last-four encounter, setting up a blockbuster capital derby for a place in the final. Arsenal dominated proceedings throughout the opening 45 minutes, enjoying 79 per cent possession while restricting Palace to just two shots, neither of which troubled Kepa.
Gabriel Martinelli notably tormented young right-back Jaydee Canvot, who was eventually substituted at half-time after a torrid evening. Palace’s goalkeeper, Walter Benitez, kept the visitors in the contest with a series of impressive saves, denying Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus on multiple occasions.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute, when Bukayo Saka’s corner caused chaos in the Palace box. After headers from Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were blocked, the ball deflected off Lacroix and into his own net, surprising the visiting players.
However, Palace refused to surrender, snatching a dramatic equaliser five minutes into stoppage time. Justin Devenny’s whipped free-kick from the left was met by Jefferson Lerma, whose towering header found its way into the six-yard area. Marc Guehi reacted quickest to the loose ball, poking home through Kepa’s legs and forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
Nine minutes of added time had been signalled, partly due to an injury to Chris Richards, who departed on a stretcher with a significant ankle injury. The shootout itself turned out to be a masterclass in composure, with the first fourteen penalties all finding the net.
Martin Odegaard stepped up first for Arsenal, sending Benitez the wrong way, before Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised for Palace. Declan Rice, Saka, Leandro Trossard, Mikel Merino, Calafiori, Timber, and Saliba all converted for the hosts. Devenny, Will Hughes, Borna Sosa, Lerma, Adam Wharton, and Christantus Uche responded for the visitors.
With the score locked at 7-7, Saliba coolly slotted into the bottom left corner, piling the pressure back on Lacroix. Seeking redemption after his earlier own goal, Lacroix faced Kepa, who correctly guessed the direction of his shot, parrying it away and triggering jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
This match serves as a reminder of the drama that unfolds in knockout competitions, illustrating how fleeting moments can change the course of a game—and the presence of a single player can shift the narrative in either direction.
