Post by : Meena
Hassan
Arsenal reached the League Cup semifinals by defeating Crystal Palace 8-7 in a nail-biting penalty shootout, after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The turning point came for Palace when defender Maxence Lacroix faced a night of misfortune. After scoring an own goal in the 80th minute, he later failed to convert his penalty, allowing Arsenal to clinch victory as all other kicks were successfully taken.
The Premier League leaders dominated possession during the match and finally broke through when Lacroix accidentally diverted the ball into his own net while trying to clear a corner. Nevertheless, Palace fought back and equalized in the dying moments, with captain Marc Guehi reacting quickest to a loose ball after a free kick, pushing the game into penalties.
Goalkeeper Walter Benitez was pivotal in keeping Palace in the game, especially with multiple key saves in the first half. He notably denied Noni Madueke on two occasions from close range and stopped a powerful header from Gabriel Jesus.
Palace, who are the defending FA Cup champions, showed significant improvement after halftime but struggled to create meaningful chances until their late equalizer.
This match was rescheduled from the previous week due to Palace's commitments in the UEFA Conference League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commended his team's poise after conceding late, acknowledging that they should have secured a more comfortable margin, reflecting on their recent narrow win over Everton.
Palace's coach Oliver Glasner praised his players' performance in the second half, crediting Benitez for his crucial saves. He noted that the team would be taking a short break to recharge after a rigorous schedule.
Next, Arsenal will face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, while Crystal Palace hosts Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Arsenal now gears up for a League Cup semifinal clash with Chelsea.
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