Dec 24, 2025
3 min read
Goalkeeper Maxence Lacroix saved a spot-kick as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties to reach the League Cup semi-finals against Chelsea.
The competition may not have been Mikel Arteta or Oliver Glasner's best this season, but that didn't stop their sides from producing a spectacle filled with blood and thunder.
It was a one-way affair for Arsenal in the first half, but they found Crystal Palace second-row keeper Walter Benítez in spirit as he kept his side in contention with a fine save.
Maxence Lacroix's own goal looked like it would have sealed the semi-final against Chelsea after Chris Richards made a good save.But Marc Guéhi had other ideas and his goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time sent last year's semi-final to penalties.The first 15 goals were scored before Lacroix was unlucky to see Kepa Arrizabalaga's free-kick put Arsenal ahead.inches.
"We conceded a goal and it was emotionally difficult to accept after the way the game went," said a relieved Arteta."But I think the margin should have been much bigger. It should have been three or four, and then not worry about what happens in the last minute."
Of the two teams, it was Arsenal who had the better of Palace's request to reschedule this fixture due to their European commitments, with Arteta making eight changes to the side that held their nerve in the away win over Everton on Saturday night.But, like last year, at this stage against Palace, it took the arrival of top goalscorers Martin Odegaard and Bokaio Saka after the break to finally find the back of the net before Gohi's late equaliser.
"I was happy with the performance in the second half today, especially after the performance in the first half, which was really bad," said Glasner."It is important for us to build on the performance in the second half and show good character again."
At Leeds on Saturday night, thrashing teenager Jaydee Canvot started in an unusual role on the right wing and Gabriel Martinelli had a poor spell, but the Palace boss admitted in the building that he had no choice.It was Guéhi's 31st start of the campaign for club and country, underscoring how busy he has been at Palace.On the contrary,Gabriel Jesus had to wait 345 days.It was the first time since he injured his ACL against Manchester United in January.The Brazilian's timing got worse as he scored a hat-trick against Palace in this competition.It was fitting that he made a century for Arsenal against the same opponents.
The jury is still out on Arsenal's £64 million signing Victor Geer so Jesus must have impressed on the occasion and would have finished his performance with a goal if it wasn't for Bentis.
A free signing from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, the Argentine has had to play second fiddle to Dean Henderson but has shown he is more than a capable deputy.He was called into action in the third minute when Martinelli set up Noni Maduke, although the England forward could only manage a weak goal.Tyreek Michel scored after Jean-Philippe Mateta's brilliant pass around the corner but that was as close as Palace got.Arsenal were close under pressure.
Martinelli failed to clear the ball and went wide, but Madueke forced a save from Benitez. It wasn't the last time Martinelli gave Kanvoto death as he lifted a cross onto Jesus' forehead, but the Palace goalkeeper did his job again. Only Richards' pass in the last minute prevented Jesus from scoring as he continued.Arsenal knocked on the door with long shots and sticks.
Palace won four games against Leeds, but some heroic defending and Arsenal's futility somehow held off until half-time.It's no surprise that Convo has been roped in for the more experienced Nathaniel Clyne.Palace immediately looked more competitive and started the second half back with confidence.There was a delay when Richards tried to challenge Jesus for a header inches wide, a major concern for Palace given their busy schedule.He ended up watching the penalty shootout on crutches but the American's exit set the stage for a dramatic final.
Arsenal needed William Saliba to slide inside and deflect the ball past Mateta's toe before the corner was cleared on the line.At the other end, Benitez saved again from Jesus and snoozed again in the box, then the ball deflected off Lacroix's fingers and past the frustrated keeper.Palace looked completely demoralized but found a way back when Jefferson Guehi scored after Lerma headed home Adam Wharton's free-kick.Declan Rice could also have won it late on, but Benitez again denied him, leaving even more drama for the epic.
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