Arsenal (foto: Getty Images)
Arsenal needed penalties to eliminate Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, after a late equaliser forced a shootout in which Maxence Lacroix endured a night to forget.
Arsenal have booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after another dramatic night at the Emirates, eliminating Crystal Palace on penalties.
The hosts entered the tie as clear favourites and dominated the opening half. Mikel Arteta’s side controlled possession, created chances and pinned Palace deep in their own half, but the breakthrough refused to arrive.
Walter Benítez was outstanding in the Palace goal, denying Arsenal repeatedly and keeping the score level despite relentless pressure. At the other end, Arsenal’s goalkeeper was almost a spectator during the first 45 minutes.
Palace changed the dynamic after the break with two substitutions and a more aggressive approach. The visitors looked sharper, more compact, and Arsenal suddenly struggled to create the same volume of chances.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 80th minute, albeit in fortunate circumstances for the home side. From a Bukayo Saka corner, Maxence Lacroix attempted to clear but instead diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper for an unfortunate own goal.
Just when it seemed Arsenal were safely through, Palace struck back. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, a free-kick delivery from the left was headed across goal by Lerma, allowing Marc Guéhi to finish from close range and force penalties.
The shootout proved ruthless for Palace. Arsenal converted all eight of their penalties, with calm finishes from Ødegaard, Rice, Saka, Trossard, Merino, Calafiori, Timber and Saliba.
For Palace, Lacroix’s night went from bad to worse. After scoring the decisive own goal, the defender stepped up to take the final penalty — and missed, sending Arsenal through and leaving Palace heartbroken.
It was another familiar cup drama at the Emirates, and one that once again ended with Arsenal celebrating and Palace ruing fine margins.