Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal side for maintaining their composure after conceding a last-gasp equaliser, guiding the Gunners to an 8-7 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.
The match could have been settled well before the interval, with Arsenal dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities. However, Palace’s deputy goalkeeper Walter Benítez was in top form, producing a string of fine saves to keep the score goalless at half-time.
The breakthrough finally arrived ten minutes from time. From a Bukayo Saka corner, Riccardo Calafiori flicked the ball on, William Saliba attacked it, and amidst the resulting scramble, Palace defender Maxence Lacroix inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.
Yet Palace responded in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time. Jefferson Lerma nodded a corner down, and Marc Guéhi pounced to slot the ball between Kepa Arrizabalaga’s legs, marking Palace’s first shot on target of the evening.
The tension extended into penalties. After 15 flawless spot-kicks, Lacroix was again the unfortunate figure as Kepa dived to his right, sending Arsenal through. Arteta, however, reflected on the missed opportunities that had nearly cost his side.
“Considering the number of changes we made, the energy and quality we showed against a well-organised team that concedes few chances was excellent,” Arteta said. “The margin should have been much bigger. It was emotionally tough to concede so late, but we stayed calm, displayed great composure, and executed the shoot-out superbly.”
Benítez had earlier denied attempts from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Eberechi Eze, and substitute Declan Rice, keeping Palace competitive until the final moments.
Arsenal’s victory marked their fourth consecutive win and second in three days, following a Premier League triumph at Everton that restored their two-point lead at the summit. Arteta highlighted his side’s adaptability across challenging fixtures.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed concern over Chris Richards, who was stretchered off with a foot injury requiring stitches. Glasner remained cautiously optimistic regarding Richards’ availability for upcoming matches.
Match Summary:
| Statistic | Arsenal | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 1 |
| Possession | 63% | 37% |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
| Saves | 2 | 5 |
| Penalties (after 1-1 draw) | 8 | 7 |
Arsenal will now face Chelsea in the semi-finals in January, with Arteta confident his side can continue their winning momentum.
