With the decisive penalty shoot-out save, Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix’ miserable evening came to an end thanks to Kepa Arrizabalaga, the team’s champion in the League Cup quarter-finals.
With 10 minutes left, Lacroix’s own goal gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium before Palace’s stoppage-time equalizer was snatched by Marc Guehi in a 1-1 draw.
The shootout saw both teams score their first seven penalties in the process.
Arsenal won 8-7 after Kepa dived to save Lacroix’s effort after William Saliba converted the team’s eighth kick.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who infamously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City in 2019, had a cathartic moment.
In the Blues’ 2022 League Cup final shootout defeat to Liverpool, Kepa also missed a spot kick.
Chelsea and Manchester City will play the Gunners in the semi-finals over two legs in January and February, while Newcastle will face holders Chelsea in the other last four game.
We should have scored many more goals, they said. It can always happen that you concede when you don’t play the games, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“We had some outstanding individual performances. Kapa’s level of commitment to the group is incredible.
I believe that Kepa managed to save one penalty because the players were so composed during the penalties. We are at our desired destination.
Arsenal, who are chasing their first trophy since the FA Cup’s 2020 triumph, are reaching the semi-finals of the competition for the second time in a row.
Before any of their current squad members were born, the north Londoners have only won the League Cup once, with their most recent triumph occurring in 1992-1993.
Arteta’s men will turn their focus back to the title race with home games against Brighton and third-placed Aston Villa to wrap up 2025 after celebrating Christmas on Thursday.
Arsenal’s main objective for the season is obviously to win their first English title since 2004. However, winning the League Cup in March would give the team a significant boost.
The team that defeated Everton on Saturday made eight changes, but it still had a strong lineup that included Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Jesus, and William Saliba.
Jesus, who injured his left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament in January, made his first start in 345 days of action following his earlier this month substitution against Club Brugge.
READ ALSO: Arsenal defeats Everton to stay top despite winning at Man City.
Kepa redemption
Arsenal should have taken a lead early on thanks to Noni Madueke, another of Arteta’s changes, but Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez twice turned him down.
With another excellent save, Benitez plunged to his left to prevent Jesus’ close-range header, and Madueke was able to repel him.
Arteta must have been perplexed as to whether Arsenal would ever achieve the breakthrough by the time Jurrien Timber headed wastefully over from 10 yards.
In the second half, Arteta sent on Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, who both immediately made an immediate impact with a cross that Jesus nipily wide.
In the 80th minute, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock.
As Saka’s corner created chaos and Lacroix, under the pressure of Saliba, poked past Benitez as he attempted to clear, a Gunners set-piece did the damage, not for the first time this season.
Arsenal, however, scored with their first shot on target in the 95th minute, giving them a taste of their own set-piece medicine.
Jefferson Lerma headed Guehi’s free kick home from close range after Adam Wharton’s free kick was headed down.
Kepa came out on top as Arsenal’s savior in the shootout, despite numerous nerveless penalties.
Source: Channels TV
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