Arsenal's Unlikely Star Shines Bright as Gunners Crush Crystal Palace to Advance

Arsenal were tested to their absolute limits in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday night, ultimately booking their spot in the Carabao Cup semifinal after edging Crystal Palace 8–7 in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match had concluded 1–1 following 102 minutes of regular play.

Mikel Arteta's squad controlled large portions of the contest and seemed to have secured a late victory through a Maxence Lacroix own goal. However, Crystal Palace responded with Marc Guéhi finding the net deep in added time to force a penalty shootout.

The two sides successfully converted their first 15 spot kicks before Lacroix, enduring a torrid evening, finally missed. Kepa Arrizabalaga emerged as the hero, making the crucial save that secured Arsenal's passage to the competition's final four.

The determined Gunners earned their victory on merit, though they'll be frustrated at making the task more difficult than necessary. Arsenal will now meet Chelsea in an enticing London derby in the semifinals.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Crystal Palace (4-3-3)

*Ratings Provided by FotMob*

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga—6.3: Arsenal's reserve keeper barely had any work during regulation time, essentially watching the match unfold from the Emirates Stadium sidelines. Nevertheless, he concluded the evening as the hero with his decisive penalty save in the shootout.

RB: Jurriën Timber—7.3: A composed yet understated performance from the Dutch defender, who handled his defensive duties well but offered little attacking threat when venturing forward.

CB: William Saliba—6.7: An inconsistent display from the French center-back, who was lucky that several sloppy passes didn't result in dangerous situations.

CB: Ricardo Calafiori—7.1: The Italian defender was excellent at the back and showed ambition when pushing forward, creating some promising moments. However, he'll be disappointed to have been outjumped for Palace's leveler.

LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly—7.5: An impressive outing for the academy graduate, who effectively neutralized threats down Arsenal's left side while contributing in attack and finishing as the team's most precise passer.

CM: Mikel Merino—6.4: Operating in his preferred role, Merino delivered some quality forward passes but couldn't produce a game-changing moment.

CM: Christian Nørgaard—7.3: Making just his second Arsenal start in over a month, the Danish midfielder showed no signs of match sharpness and dominated the middle of the park against the visitors.

CM: Eberechi Eze—6.8: Worked tirelessly on the left side of midfield, dropping deep to initiate attacks and showing ambition in the final third. However, his decision-making in key areas was inconsistent and he remains below his previous standards.

RW: Noni Madueke—6.7: Repeatedly found himself in excellent scoring positions but lacked the clinical touch when it mattered most.

ST: Gabriel Jesus—6.9: A relatively quiet evening for the Brazilian striker, who faded from the contest after being denied by an excellent save in the opening 25 minutes.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli—7.4: Arsenal's standout performer by some distance. He consistently troubled Jaydee Canvot and should have registered multiple assists. His evening was cut short due to what appeared to be a knee injury.

Subs not used: David Raya (GK), Marli Salmon, Ethan Nwaneri, Martín Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres.

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1)

Starting XI: Walter Benítez; Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guéhi; Jaydee Canvot, Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Tyrick Mitchell; Eddie Nketiah, Yéremy Pino; Jean-Philippe Mateta

Subs used: Nathaniel Clyne, Justin Devenny, Will Hughes, Christantus Uche, Borna Sosa.

Arsenal Player of the Match: Gabriel Martinelli

Player of the Match: Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace)

Arsenal 1–1 Crystal Palace (8–7 Pens): How It Unfolded at the Emirates Stadium

Mikel Arteta made eight alterations to the team that beat Everton in Premier League action over the weekend. Gabriel Jesus was named in the starting lineup, hoping to mark his 100th Arsenal appearance with an influential display.

However, Arteta's rotated squad struggled to create early momentum. The tempo shifted after 20 minutes, with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez becoming a pivotal figure.

Noni Madueke was presented with an excellent scoring chance, only to be thwarted at close range by Benítez's quick reflexes. The Argentine shot-stopper then produced a spectacular diving save to deny a Jesus header and maintain parity.

Arsenal's relentless pressure continued as they overwhelmed their opponents but proved frustratingly wasteful in crucial moments. Remarkably, the scoreline remained blank at halftime.

The squandered first-half chances became increasingly concerning as time progressed and Crystal Palace gained confidence after the interval. The home side maintained territorial advantage but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. A speculative long-range effort from Adam Wharton represented the most threatening moment from either team in the second half's opening quarter.

Anxiety crept into the Emirates atmosphere, prompting Arteta to introduce his regular starters in search of a breakthrough after the hour mark. Yet Benítez continued his outstanding performance with another brilliant save to deny Jesus once more.

Just as a penalty shootout appeared inevitable, Arsenal finally broke through via a characteristic set-piece routine in the 80th minute. Riccardo Calafiori won the aerial battle from a corner kick, and following several chaotic ricochets, the ball deflected off Lacroix into the goal.

Crystal Palace refused to surrender and leveled through their own set-piece deep into stoppage time. Jefferson Lerma rose highest to nod the ball back across goal, where Guéhi arrived ahead of Kepa to slot home the equalizer beneath the Spanish keeper, forcing a penalty shootout.

Both teams executed their first 15 penalties perfectly until Kepa finally guessed correctly, saving Lacroix's attempt—the unfortunate defender's second costly moment—to send Arsenal through to the Carabao Cup semifinals.

Arteta's team lived dangerously but will enter 2026 still competing for four major honors.

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Half Time Stats

Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace Full Time Stats