Arsenal Advance to Carabao Cup Semi-Finals After Penalty Shootout Thriller Against Crystal Palace

Spread the love

Arsenal have booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, December 23, following a 1-1 draw in normal time. Their reward is a highly anticipated clash with Chelsea in the last four.

The contest was a rollercoaster. Arsenal appeared in control for much of the match and thought they had sealed victory when Jurrien Timber’s effort triggered a frantic scramble that ultimately saw the ball deflect off Palace defender Maxence Lacroix into the net after 80 minutes. However, Palace responded in stoppage time, as Marc Guehi nodded in Jefferson Lerma’s header to level the score and force a penalty shootout.

The penalty drama proved unforgettable. Both sides converted their first fourteen attempts before Lacroix’s decisive miss. His low strike to the goalkeeper’s left was expertly saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, sending the home crowd into raptures and confirming Arsenal’s passage to the semi-finals.

Earlier, Arsenal had dominated the play, outshooting Palace 25 to 8 and leading in expected goals. Stand-in Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez kept his side in the contest with a series of brilliant stops, notably denying Noni Madueke three times and parrying attempts from Gabriel Jesus. Palace improved after the break, with Adam Wharton’s long-range effort testing Kepa, while Jesus missed two promising chances at the other end.

This victory continues Arsenal’s strong Carabao Cup form. Following their previous-round win over Brighton, the Gunners have now defeated successive Premier League opponents in the competition for the first time since the 2010-2011 season, which ended with a final loss to Birmingham City.

The semi-final against Chelsea will be played over two legs, with the first leg scheduled for January 14 and the return at the Emirates Stadium on February 3. The winner will face either Manchester City or holders Newcastle United in the final.

Carabao Cup Semi-final Fixtures and Kick-off Times

First Leg
Newcastle United vs Manchester City – 13 January, 9 p.m.
Chelsea vs Arsenal – 14 January, 9 p.m.

Second Leg
Arsenal vs Chelsea – 3 February, 9 p.m.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United – 4 February, 9 p.m.