Arsenal advanced to the EFL Cup semifinals with an 8-7 penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace after a 1-1 draw in their quarter-final clash. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved the decisive spot-kick from Maxence Lacroix to secure the win. The Gunners will now face Chelsea in the last four.
The match at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal dominate possession and create numerous chances, but they struggled to convert until the 80th minute. Bukayo Saka's corner delivery found Riccardo Calafiori's head, with the ball deflecting off Palace defender Maxence Lacroix into his own net for the opener.
Crystal Palace, trailing and facing fatigue from a packed schedule, mounted a spirited comeback. Substitutes improved their performance after a subdued first half, where Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli created five chances but was denied by goalkeeper Walter Benitez. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, captain Marc Guehi reacted first to Jefferson Lerma's knockdown to equalize, forcing penalties.
The shootout was a thriller, with 15 successful kicks before Kepa dived to save Lacroix's effort, marking Arsenal's second-highest scoring penalty contest. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who made eight changes including Gabriel Jesus's 100th appearance for the club, praised his team's attitude: "I'm very happy to be in the semi-finals. We generated a lot and we should have scored many more goals."
Palace manager Oliver Glasner highlighted his side's resilience: "The way we played in the second half, the way we matched them... if that is the case [fatigue], you can't come back like we did."
Arsenal's last three goals at home have been own goals, underscoring their pressure tactics. The Gunners, with a 92% penalty conversion rate in recent shootouts, now prepare for Chelsea on January 14 at Stamford Bridge. The other semifinal pits Newcastle United against Manchester City.
