Arsenal faced a tense Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Crystal Palace that ended 1-1 in regular time before going to penalties. Manager Mikel Arteta described the game as “emotionally tough” after Palace scored a stoppage-time equaliser, leaving the Gunners to hold their nerve in the shootout.
The match could have been decided much earlier, as Arsenal had several chances in the first half. Palace’s backup goalkeeper, Walter Benítez, was in top form, denying shots from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Eberechi Eze to keep the game scoreless at halftime.
Eventually, Arsenal broke through ten minutes from the end. Riccardo Calafiori’s header from Bukayo Saka’s corner led to a scramble, with defender Maxence Lacroix inadvertently putting the ball into his own net, giving Arsenal a late lead before Palace’s last-gasp equaliser.
Palace’s Late Equaliser Adds Pressure
Crystal Palace hit back in the fifth minute of stoppage time, scoring with their first shot on target. Jefferson Lerma nodded the ball down from a corner, and Marc Guéhi managed to squeeze it between Kepa Arrizabalaga’s legs, forcing the match into penalties.
Arteta admitted that conceding so late was hard to accept. “The margin should have been much bigger,” he said. “When that happens, teams with quality can hurt you on a set-piece. It was emotionally tough, but we stayed calm and showed composure in the shoot-out.”
The equaliser highlighted Arsenal’s vulnerability and reminded the team that even dominant performances require focus until the final whistle. Arteta stressed that attention to detail is crucial for trophy-winning ambitions.
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The Drama of Penalties
The penalty shootout saw both sides execute flawless penalties, with Lacroix again unfortunate as Kepa made the decisive save, sending Arsenal through 8-7. Arteta praised Kepa for his composure under pressure.
Despite the nerve-wracking finish, the victory marked Arsenal’s fourth consecutive win and their second in three days. Saturday’s Premier League win at Everton had also helped them regain a two-point lead at the top, showcasing the team’s ability to succeed in different contexts.
Arteta emphasized the importance of maintaining high performance across multiple competitions. “You have to win in different situations and contexts,” he said. “Credit to the boys that every three days they are performing at the level they do.”
Injury Concerns and Looking Ahead
Crystal Palace faced their own challenges, with defender Chris Richards taken off on a stretcher due to a nasty foot cut. Manager Oliver Glasner was hopeful for his return, but availability for upcoming matches remained uncertain.
For Arsenal, the victory sets up a semi-final clash with Chelsea in January. The team will need to address defensive lapses while maintaining the attacking quality that secured them the win.
Overall, the match underscored the fine margins in knockout football and the mental resilience required. Arsenal’s ability to withstand late pressure and excel in penalties reflects a team growing in confidence and experience, ready for the challenges ahead. Stay tuned for the latest football news only at footballcoasters.co.uk.